LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — The end of the school year always seems to hit students suddenly and quickly and it is easy to get caught up in last minute assignments and lessons. So, here are four things all students should do before the final bell rings on the last day of school.
Clean out your locker
One of the worst surprises students can face during the summer is realizing they forgot something important in their locker, then returning to school to retrieve it, only to discover that custodial workers have already cleaned it out. Thus, it is vital for students to stop by their locker, throw out their trash and bring home their miscellaneous items. This task often proves to be more important than students realize. During the school year, things can pile up in lockers, so when cleaning it out, many students will uncover many long forgotten items. Finally, if students clean out their own lockers, it is less work for the custodial staff who are also eager to enjoy their summer vacation.
Thank your teachers
A simple thank-you note or small gift means a lot to teachers who have spent the entirety of the school year guiding curriculum, grading and lesson planning. Gifting a teacher a gift card to their favorite coffee shop or sweet treat from a local bakery reminds teachers that they and their work is appreciated. By demonstrating teacher appreciation, students are often able to build long lasting relationships with their teachers, something that will prove to be valuable for many underclassmen when they need future letters of recommendation.
“I like giving teachers gifts at the end of the year because I think it is a small gesture to show how much u appreciate them. There are some teachers who genuinely make such a positive impact on their students and I think it is important to give them a small gift as a thank you for all their efforts throughout the school year,” said Rylie Kwon, senior at Los Alamitos High School.
Return textbooks
This task can often be tiresome, as lugging a whole year’s worth of textbooks back to school can be difficult. However, it is important not only to avoid fines, but also so that the school is able to have enough books to distribute the following school year. To avoid trying to return many heavy textbooks at once, students are encouraged to bring one a day, starting as soon as possible. Further, students are advised to not wait until the last day to turn in their books to avoid long lines and prevent the media center staff from having extra stress.
Sign yearbooks
On a more exciting note, one of students’ favorite activities at the end of the school year is to sign yearbooks. Leaving a short and funny, or long and thoughtful message in a classmate’s yearbook helps to preserve friendships and memories made during the year. Everyone receives the same book, with the same photos and layout, so it is the signatures that personalize a student’s yearbook to their experience. Moreover, it is always fun for students to look back at their messages over the summer or even when they have grown into adults and want to reflect on their teenage years.
“Signing yearbooks offers an opportunity to remember people that you might not know as well and creates an ability to write nice notes to your classmates,” said Phoebe Grimshaw, senior at LAHS.
