Bid adieu to your winter-laden, fur-lined worries, and give a teary-eyed welcome to pastels, khakis and open-toed footwear. Spring Break is finally on the delightfully pink horizon of longer days. Congratulations on having survived this long and not blowing your entire budget on coffee. The following five days are each going to pass by giving you an encouraging push toward the end of the week.

Naturally, one would only like to be mildly nudged and not rudely body-slammed toward the end of the week. Vehement excitement to leave campus can occasionally lead to contagious disorganization. But have no fear, Pulp has done the rounds and picked the brains of residence hall employees for some organization tips that will help you to stay on top of things.

Nick Goffard: Residence Hall Director, Day Hall

1. Don’t wait until the last day to pack: In a hectic week, you may not be fully capable of calmly folding clothes into a suitcase. Do your bit for Spring Break day by day so that you don’t end up with a dusty suitcase and only half the clothes you need.

2. Bye Winter, Hi Spring: Now is a good time to shepherd all that fleece back into your closet at home and debut your spring wardrobe — more shorts, less wool. A pedicure would be advised if your toes haven’t seen direct sunlight in a few weeks.

Ben Castaneda: Resident Advisor, Watson Hall

3. Finish perishable items: Ever been greeted by mold in your fridge after returning? It’s horrifying. Gobble down all delicate foods before you leave, or throw them out if the expiration dates are from last semester.

4. Take home dirty laundry: If Ben has estimated correctly, your parents should be absolutely thrilled to see 10 days’ worth of laundry billowing out of your bag. Considering that they (probably) love helping you out, and you get a chore out of the way, this is a win-win situation.

Shakiyla Sincere: Assistant Residence Director, Day Hall

5. Make A List: Or two or three. Pen down or type up a list of things that have to be accomplished by the time you leave, and check them off. You didn’t buy all those colorful Post-Its with markers all so you could not draw little checkboxes on them.

6. Lock your door: Apparently, it is surprising how many students leave with unwavering confidence that nobody will get into their rooms in nine days. You’re leaving to go home, not go next door, so make sure you hear the door click behind you and the keys clink in your bag as you leave.

Chazz Inniss: Resident Advisor, Brewster Hall

7. Conspire with your roommate: It would be a little disarming to wake up Friday morning and observe that your roommate has already left, blow dryer and all. So check in with each other, know when each is leaving and returning, and see if you can travel together to save some cash.

8. Make a Spring Break plan: Your professors will most likely behave like Spring Break was of little to no consequence, so make sure you get just a bit of classwork done in the free time. This way, you’ll match up with your professors’ line of thinking.

Kamm Lemay: Resident Advisor, Day Hall

9. Sync your calendars: If you do plan to finish work before and during Spring Break, sync your calendars and schedules on all your devices. iCloud, if used correctly, can help you stay ahead of all your assignments and to-dos.

10. Clean your room: And that means more than just sweeping half-heartedly. Vacuum, dust, wash up and make your bed so you don’t have to fuss around when you come back and pass out from jet lag.

These tips should help avoid any unexpected bewilderment and chaos. Keep these in mind and have a happy Spring Break.

Published on March 5, 2016 at 2:08 pm