Since about mid-January, it has felt as though we’ve been catapulted into an eternal winter. Not to mention that midterms are in full-swing, professors are piling on projects left and right, and we’re scrambling around just trying to get it all done.
This begs the question: will this wintry stress storm ever end?
Believe it or not, it’s actually almost over—because Spring Break is only a week away!
Naturally, students are making plans to travel. Whether your trip takes you to some exotic location, a beachy tourist trap like Myrtle Beach or even your hometown, any type of travel inevitably entails one cumbersome task: packing.
Where do you even start?
You’re leaving campus for a week, so you’re naturally inclined to bring your entire closet with you—as well as that massive pile of laundry you’ve been accumulating for weeks.
But you know that you can’t possibly bring it all; ain’t nobody got the time or money for a U-Haul. So, what do you do?
Packing is never easy, or fun, for that matter. If you’re a passenger on the Struggle Bus of Packing, here are some tips guaranteed to help you minimize your load—and your stress!
1. If you’re flying to a distant location, it’s vital to keep your amount of luggage to a minimum; nobody wants to pay extra for baggage—or have to haul it around all over the airport. In this case, definitely only bring what you need.
Only pack essential pieces of clothing, such as a couple favorite pairs of jeans, a few tops, a jacket/cardigan and maybe a dress or a skirt. By mixing and matching these pieces, you’ll be able to make it look like you’re wearing a new, trendy outfit each day—even though you’re really just recycling clothes.
Also bear in mind that you’ll probably purchase various items during the course of your trip. You’ll need to leave room in your suitcase for these items before you leave, otherwise you’ll end up having to leave your favorite scarf with some rando in Cancun. And who wants that?
You can also purchase beauty/hygiene products after you reach your destination. That way, you don’t have to worry about following all of those tricky TSA bylaws about liquids and aerosols, or risk having them explode in your suitcase during the trip (It happens to the best of us.).
2. If you’re going to the beach/carpooling with friends, it’s still essential to reduce your amount of baggage as much as possible. Plus, if you bring five bags of shoes, you’ll risk being labeled the Elle Woods of your friend group.
Again, only bring basic pieces that you can mix and match.
And Don’t. Bring. Boots.
If you’re going somewhere warm, there’s just no need for that nonsense. Plus, you’ll save tons of space in your suitcase!
If you’re Spring Breaking in a group, you can always divide and conquer; one person can be responsible for bringing the food, another for the toiletries and so on and so forth. It’s a great way to save space in the car and reduce space in your wallet!
3. If you’re going home, the aforementioned rules really don’t apply to you.
If you’re traveling solo, you can fill your car to the brim with as much paraphernalia as you please. You can even bring home things you know you won’t need for the rest for the semester.
That way, you won’t have nearly as much packing/carrying to deal with when you leave school for the summer.
For example, bring home all of your winter clothes and shoes that you know you won’t need and switch them out with a few pieces from your spring wardrobe.
We hope these tips help you as you pack up for the week off!
Where are you headed for break? Tweet us a picture of your Spring Break fun @HerCampusWVWC