This is it, the end of the conversion road.Well, almost.

Finals are on the horizon, a summer spent at home may be on the agenda for some, and for others the last summer quarter in the history of Northeastern is in the works.

And after all of this?

Semesters.

After two quarters of ranting, raving and cajoling the student body into meeting with their advisors, it will all be over and a new era at NU will begin.

I don’t think it has quite hit me yet.

I cannot comprehend all of the changes that lie ahead, and I’m not even thinking about semesters. I think part of it is the time of year. Everyone is reflecting on the academic year that is coming to a close, a co-op that is about to end and, for some, one that is about to begin and what lies ahead.

This time of year always gives me those butterflies in my stomach. I think part of it is the promise of being able to start anew — a New Year’s Resolution type of mentality, if you will.

Maybe it’s just me, but I think that this semester thing may work to our benefit. Put aside the lines, the ‘I don’t know’ and the stress of registering for classes that you aren’t sure even exist, and really think about it.

For those of us who have been at Northeastern for a couple of years, semesters pose a new way of learning and possibly a new way of living (depending how deep you want to take this bad boy).

Semesters, especially for juniors and soon-to-be seniors, may throw us off kilter, but may also put us on a new academic clock.

This could be a good thing.

I know, I know, three months ago I was flying off the handle about this and that (which I have a tendency to do), but semesters offer students the ability to put the past in the past.

Think of semesters as a clean slate.

Instead of kicking and screaming all the way to the Registrar’s Office, put everything in perspective.

A couple of extra weeks, a couple of extra chapters, deeper content and overall a better education.

Not so bad, right?

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect those who have been harmed by the conversion to cut their losses, shrug their shoulders and say, “No big deal. It’s only two extra semesters at $12,000 plus each.”

In no circumstance — do not do that.

But if you have done your part and are free and clear to enter the world of semesters, do just that — enter this uncharted territory at NU with an open mind.

If you are one of the people that has gone through the advising process and is fully aware of where the road of semester conversion will take you — stop.

Think of all the people that got you to that point.

Sure, it may have involved “self-advising,” but we’re Northeastern students, it’s in our nature. Think of the steps that you went through and multiply that by 10,000 at least.

And think how you would feel.

Think of how the overworked academic advisors feel.

Think of the work that went into rewriting each college and school’s curriculum.

Think of the logistics of converting a university of this size to a completely different way of life.

Think of the number crunchers.

Think of the deans, the VPs and everyone else all the way up the ladder.

Think of President Freeland, who decided to charge forward three years when semester conversion was only a thought. Think of what must have run through his mind late at night. I am almost positive he had nights where he doubted his actions.

I am almost positive, though, that he never doubted you.

For that, my hat goes off to Freeland.

And for all of you, go back to that list of the key players that helped you out and help them out by simply saying, “Thank you.”

It may not be much, but I have a feeling it may make campus a much better place to be during the first semester in NU history.

See ya around, this fall.