Software Engineering is an interesting mix of practice and theory. On the theory side, you should make a habit of browsing / googling for things that are a good intersection of interesting to you and novel. Be forewarned, some of the common places to get information (like stackOverflow) can be very intimidating.
The standard expiration date for most checks is 180 days (six months) and personal checks are included in this policy. In the United States, banks are privately owned and not government operated so banks do have the right to refuse your deposit if there happens to be any suspicion of the item's negotiability.
Quick Answer. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a personal check must be cashed within six months to ensure payment. After six months, banks and credit unions are not required to cash the check. Continue Reading.