We’ve made it through our last week—classes are almost over, travel plans are arranged, and the only thing left to do is to pack our bags and head home! Of course, that’s easier said than done. After weeks of classes and assignments, the last thing we want to do is calculate how to make all of the stuff we want to take home fit into the small suitcase we can take as a carry-on. Luckily, I’ve got some tips for you on how to pack like a pro!
1) Make a List—before you even start packing, make a list of everything you think you’ll need to bring. That way, you know you won’t forget anything, and you can check off items as you put them in your bag. Plus, it ensures that you won’t accidentally forget anything essential when you’re coming back to school, and the next time you pack, you’ll have a handy list to use as an outline!
2) Roll Your Clothes—this is the best advice I can give for cramming all of your outfits into one bag, and it has been a lifesaver to me many times. When you roll your clothes, they take up much less space than if you fold them, and it’s much easier to cram them all together when all of your pieces of clothing become roughly the same shape.
3) Wear Your Biggest Shoes/Clothes—bringing home some big boots or an oversized sweater? Then that’s what you should wear on the plane. After all, the best way to save space in your bag is by leaving out your bulkiest items. Plus, who doesn’t want to wear a cozy big sweater on a plane ride?
4) Leave Room to Bring Stuff Back to School—for those of us who haven’t been home yet this year, you’re probably excited not just to see your family and friends, but to retrieve that one thing you forgot. Even if you don’t think you need anything from home, trust me, you’ll probably decide once you get there that you’ve got to bring something back with you. And then you’ll be glad you left room in your suitcase for it.
5) Bring at Least One Nice Outfit—you never know when your parents will surprise you with tickets to a show, or you’ll get invited (or be forced by your parents to go) to a holiday party, or Grandma will decide that Thanksgiving this year is going to be a formal event. Being over-prepared is always the best way to go.
6) If You Tend to Stay Active, Don’t Forget the Necessities—just because you’re on break from school doesn’t mean you have to take a break from working out! Of course, there’s nothing wrong with taking a week off to spend time with your family, but just in case your mom decides it’s the perfect weather for a bike ride, or you just need to get away for half an hour to run, you’ll be glad you brought a sports bra and sneakers.
7) Bring Some Homework for the Plane Ride—even if you’re extra motivated and got the majority of your homework done before break so that you can relax, if you’re flying home you’ll at least want to save something for the plane ride. Whether your flight is just an hour or several, it’s the perfect opportunity to get some class reading done. After all, you can’t leave to do something else… and you more than likely won’t have Wi-Fi to distract you!
8) Make Sure You Have an ID and Cash Close On Hand—Whether you’re flying home or driving, its super important to make sure you always have your ID (a state-issued one, not your K-Card) and some cash on hand. Not everywhere takes credit/debit cards, and if you’re flying especially, you always need an ID to get through security. You never know what sticky situation you might end up in, and its better to be safe than sorry!
Hopefully these tips will help make the last thing on your to-do list go smoothly. Good luck packing Kenyon, and we’ll see you after break!
Image Sources: Listplanit.com, Wheretoget.it, Terradotta.com