DEAR HARRIETTE: I am in the final semester of my undergraduate program, and the semester will end in December. However, I do not officially graduate until June 2016, and the financial aid department has informed me that I have extra money left over for the spring 2016 semester. Since I am not graduating until 2016, I was thinking I should take some classes in the spring just to sharpen my skills in preparation for graduate school. What are your thoughts? -- A Student for Life, Bronx, New York
DEAR STUDENT FOR LIFE: First of all, congratulations on your imminent graduation. It takes a lot of focus and commitment to reach this stage in your life, and you should be proud. You have just been given a gift. To be able to take more classes without having to pay for them is a huge bonus that many students would be thrilled to experience. By all means, go for it. Be wise in choosing the class or classes that you take. Since you already know that you intend to go to graduate school, select classes that can help to ease the transition into your field of interest. If you are unsure, speak to a guidance counselor about the general curriculum for your area of choice. Staying in the thick of education is wise, especially since your plan is to continue for the next couple of years.