By Kaya Aguirre / Staff Writer

Missouri Valley College students are using the summer break to renovate and reorganize their living spaces as they prepare for the next academic year.

For many, the changes are less about luxury and more about transition. Senior Avery Gifford, who is preparing to sell her house before graduation, said the process is both practical and emotional.

“I’m trying to make everything look clean and welcoming, but it’s weird,” she said. “You start fixing things you used to ignore, and suddenly it all feels temporary. Like you’re already halfway gone.”

Gifford said she is focusing on small upgrades, including fresh paint, yard work and minor repairs, to increase the home’s value before putting it on the market. She said the work carries a deeper meaning.

“It’s not just renovation,” Gifford said. “It’s closure.”

Sophomore Evan Johnson is taking a different approach, using the summer to create a space that better reflects his interests.

“I’m redoing my room completely,” he said. “New desk, LED lights maybe even soundproof panels because I play guitar.”

Johnson described the project as a way to stay productive over break while investing in his hobbies. 

“It’s something to work toward. Plus, I’m tired of my room looking like I’m still fourteen.”

For sophomore Mareya May, the focus is on comfort rather than appearance. She plans to reorganize and refresh her space to support her mental health going into the next school year.

“I’m not doing anything crazy,” May said. “Just cleaning, moving things around, adding stuff that makes me feel calm. I think your space affects you more than people realize.”

May said the process helps her feel more grounded.

“When everything around you is in place, it’s easier to feel in place too,” she said.

While each student’s plans differ, whether selling, upgrading or simply resetting, the projects reflect a common theme of change. As summer approaches, students are preparing for what comes next by reshaping the spaces they call home.