Spring Cleaning

By Nancy Seeman–As the grass gets greener and campus gets prettier, outside is starting to look like
spring. But what does it look like inside? Spring cleaning in college is something not many students think about, especially this close to the end of the year; however, that is the exact reason why spring cleaning in college is a good idea.

Don’t be that person who throws away all their crap in the huge dumpster behind the dorms on the last day of finals. There are many ways to get use or money out of the old junk that otherwise would just be thrown out at the end of the year.

Statistics also show that having a clean and organized environment keeps students less stressed; and with finals slowly creeping up on us, that is just the thing students need.

Start with something that will be quick and easy–your closet. As you are going through your clothes, think to yourself, “Have I worn this over the past year?” This is an easy way to decide what to keep and what not to keep. If you haven’t worn something over the year, odds are you won’t wear it over the next year.

Depending on the clothes you have, you may also be able to make some cash out of the deal. Plato’s Closet of Sioux City takes used clothing of certain brands and in good condition and resells them, therefore putting cash in your pocket. Check out Sioux City’s Plato’s Closet on Hamilton Boulevard or at www.platoscloset.com.

Another option for used clothing is to donate them to goodwill. Thrift shopping is all the rage lately, thanks to Macklemore, so why not contribute to the societal trend?

Next, let’s take on the kitchen. This task may be a bit more daunting due to the fact that there is still a month of school left and you need food to eat. However, check the dates. Some items might already be expired or be expiring soon and you didn’t know. Also, think realistically. Are you really going to eat all those packs of ramen in the next month?

If not, think about donating some of your non-perishables to the food bank of Siouxland. Not only will this clean out your cupboards but also give you the satisfaction of helping others. Check out the details at www.siouxlandfoodbank.org.

Now on to something a bit bigger–furniture. It probably isn’t the best idea to get rid of furniture just yet; however, it is a good idea to start thinking about what you want to do with it at the end of the semester. Do you have any old couches or chairs that you won’t have room for after graduation or next semester?

One option is to get cash for it. Craigslist is a site similar to eBay in selling things online. The old furniture can also be donated to places such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, or the gospel mission.

Another option is the Morningside Swap. This is a Facebook page in which people within the Morningside area can post things they would like to buy or are trying to sell. This keeps things local and puts more cash in your pocket to be saved for summer endeavors.

Lastly, give your room, apartment, or house a good wipe down and vacuum. Having a clean and clear living space can help clear your mind just in time to cram it full of finals study guides, speeches, and projects for finals week.