Summer for many students means freedom. You can study abroad, do an internship, visit home, or go on an epic road trip. The options are endless. However, unless you are taking summer classes or working in Davis, many of these options require you to leave your apartment for the summer. Here are some important things to do before you leave
1. Put your bike inside.
Many Davis students rely on bikes as their primary mode of transportation. However, keeping your bike locked outside all summer can be risky. It could be stolen if it is sitting in one place for months on end, and the brutally hot weather could cause parts of your bike to break down. Putting your bike inside can ensure that you will still have a functional method of transportation when you return.
2. Clean out your fridge.
Even if you have housemates staying in your apartment for the summer, make sure to use any food that may go bad before you leave. This way, your roommates will not have to worry about that tub of yogurt you left in the fridge or the old banana rotting on the counter while you are gone.
3. Lock your windows and doors.
Securing entry points into your apartment or house is especially important if you do not have any housemates staying while you are gone. Making sure to double-check that everything is locked will help give you peace of mind while you are gone.
4. Turn off your thermostat and unplug unnecessary appliances.
If no one is staying at your apartment or house while you are gone, turning off the thermostat and unplugging unnecessary electronics or appliances will help conserve energy. This way you will not receive a sky-high bill in August because the air conditioning was left on all summer.
5. Place a hold on your mail.
While you are gone, your mail might accumulate, especially if you do not have any housemates who are checking it. To prevent frustrating the USPS workers by forcing them to pack your mailbox full of Safeway advertisements, you can submit a USPS Hold Mail request. Using a USPS account, you can select the days that you will be gone, and your local post office will hold your mail for you until you are back. However, a hold can only be placed for three to thirty days. If you are going to be gone for a longer time, you can submit a request for the postal service to forward your mail to a different address or ask someone to pick up your mail while you are gone instead.
Summer is almost here. While the end of finals can be an exciting and stressful time, it is crucial to prepare if you are leaving Davis for the summer months. This list covers just a few of the tasks often needed if you are leaving for a long period of time.