If you’re like me, home is a long flight away for a long month of relaxation and catch-up with everything I’ve missed since September. But amid all the chaos of finals before it’s time to take off, choosing what to pack may be the last thing that’s on your mind. Follow these tips and you’ll thank yourself later!
1) Ditch the Summer Clothes
I know. It’s a tragedy. But you’d better expect some freezing temperatures when you get back from all that Christmas partying (especially if you’re coming back from a hot state.) Pack most of your tank tops, shorts and skirts up with the rest of your luggage and leave them at home, and bring back more scarves, coats and hoodies. You’ll be happy not to have them lying around when you pack up again in May, and when you have more room in your closet.
2) Take Back The Stuff You Never Used
Those fifteen extension cords? That Keurig they banned in the dorm? That photo frame you never put a picture in? Take it all back home. Sometimes we go overboard with the stuff we think we’ll need in college, and then end up with cluttered dorms and useless items we have to figure out how to pack at the end of the year. Avoid the headache and pack it in.
3) Leave Room For More
Whatever holiday you celebrate during December (or even if you don’t celebrate anything), if you’re gonna be gone for a month, you’ll probably end up with things you want to take back to college in January. Don’t overstuff your luggage with items you know you’re bringing back to the point nothing new can fit! You’re gonna be sorry you left your new pair of boots at home (or for the fee you have to pay for bringing back extra luggage if you’re flying.)
4) Travel Light
This goes hand in hand with the last tips—you have clothes at home, so take that into account when you’re packing. Don’t take your entire dorm closet with you, just like you didn’t take your entire closet with you when you came in September (unless you did, which is admirable and I’m jealous.) Take the essentials, like your electronics, clothes, pants, and shoes, but don’t bother packing your toothpaste, shampoo, towel or even your school bag if it isn’t necessary. Try aiming for one luggage you can carry-on to the plane, or easily lug around if you’re taking the bus, train or other transportation.