College is a perfect time to travel the country or even the world. It is a time of adventure and exploration. No wonder a lot of students love all sorts of trips. And packing is a big part of an enjoyable experience. In this guide, you’ll learn all the best tips on how to pack efficiently no matter where you are heading.
Starting The Preparation
The earlier you begin to get ready, the easier it will be. And the more reasonable choices you’ll be able to make.
In many cases, students leave the packing up to the last minute as they do not have much free time. They can be so overwhelmed by the college curriculum that they forget to research the weather conditions or other destination specifics.
If you feel like you have no time to do that because of all the written assignments, there is help out there. You can apply for immediate online assistance by searching up “I need WritePaper to write a paper for me” to get a professional to do it all for you. It is a credible platform that offers high-quality services to all students in need.
Whether you are looking for writing, proofreading, or editing help, experienced authors are happy to deliver in almost no time. Meanwhile, you can prepare for the trip by searching the following information:
- Weather and climate;
- Needed documents;
- Accommodation and things available there (like toiletries in a hotel);
- Transportation and luggage restrictions;
- Clothing and shoes appropriate for activities (hiking, swimming, skiing, etc.);
- Local currency and exchange options.
All of that will ensure you pack efficiently & accordingly.
Packing Step-By-Step
1. Create A List
Always begin with a list of things you need to take with you. Remember that the size of your bag directly indicates how much you will pack. This is just how people act. So if you are traveling on a budget and do not want to carry around a lot of weight, choose a smaller bag.
Write down all the items you might need, from clothing to medications and accessories. After that, review the list and edit it vigorously. This is particularly essential for clothes as a lot of people tend to overpack.
2. Decide On The Bag
The choice is going to be based on where you are heading, how long you are going to stay, and the transportation. Also, you can choose between a soft bag or a hard suitcase. Soft-sided items offer more space as you can literally shape them with the things inside.
Hard-sided options are good for long-distance trips where you need to care more about the preservation of the luggage.
3. Plan Outfits
Clothing will take the majority of the space in a bag. So start with planning it through. Lay out things you want to take and create outfits. This ensures that all of the garments work together.
Also, try these tips:
- Create a capsule wardrobe for the trip where all the items can be combined;
- Use a lot of neutral colors;
- Choose the things you know you are going to wear;
- Use the 5-1 rule: for a week, you need 5 sets of underwear and socks, 4 tops, 3 bottoms, 2 types of shoes, and 1 head garment. Adjust the ratio according to your necessities.
Be reasonable with what you need and how appropriate it is for the destination.
4. Treat It Like Tetris
To make the most of the space you have, you need to use every inch of space. To do so, you can try the following techniques:
- Roll clothes instead of folding them. Rolling ensures minimal creasing;
- Use packing cubes to organize items compactly;
- Try the folding method of Marie Kondo;
- Put small things inside the shoes that go into the bag;
- Zip the bag to compress the clothing and add some more.
And wear the bulkiest and heaviest clothes and shoes while traveling to make more room in a suitcase.
5. Use Travel-Sized Toiletries
Unless you are going somewhere rural for a long time, you do not need to take full-sized shampoo, conditioner, or even toothpaste.
In the majority of cases, you can buy all of those things locally, whether you have an international trip or not. And all of those bottles take a lot of room. Choose travel-sized kits to take with you. It is enough for shorter vacations. Use a ziplock bag to make sure nothing spills all over the suitcase.
If you are staying in a hotel, consider that they provide some basic toiletries as well.
6. Put Things In Order Of Priority
There are things you might need during the flight or drive and items you won’t need until you’ve reached there. Pack efficiently according to this prioritization. The least immediate one goes to the bottom of the bag. And the most essential one should be on top so you can easily reach them in case of need.
If you have a small handbag as well, make sure you put all the essentials there. Those can be:
- Documents;
- Tickets;
- Wallet;
- Phone;
- Charger;
- Sanitizer;
- Wet wipes, etc.
If you are traveling light but the weather might get colder, put a warm garment on top.
7. Do Not Forget The First Aid Kit
Accidents happen no matter how much you prepare. Always carry a ready-to-use health kit with you. There should be things to treat food poisoning, fever, cuts, bruises, or bug bites. If you have special medications you take regularly, do not forget to pack an appropriate amount.
Store the kit in a ziplock bag to make sure it is safe and sound.
In Summary
Efficient packing requires planning, organization, and creativity. Choose an appropriate piece of luggage for the case and transportation. Decide on what you need and what can be left at home. Plan out activities and outfits. Make sure to use all the available room and roll your garments. And put the most essential items in the closest reach.
