All my bags are packed...

Packing is stupid. Try packing your entire life into two suitcases, it’s fucking hard. I didn’t even know where to start. I looked up online for packing lists from people that had previously studied abroad. They gave me a ton of good tips. There’s a bunch of stuff that’s common sense: bring underwear, pack a sweatshirts, etc etc. But there were also stuff I didn’t think about, like electric converters and to by most of my toiletries in the UK.

Since my brother is moved out I used his room for packing central. Looking at all the stuff I had to bring was pretty daunting, how the hell was I supposed to fit all this stuff? The answer, SPACE BAGS. Seriously best things on earth, gift from god. I was able to bring twice the amount of stuff. I packed my entire bedding collection, including my comforter, sheets, two pillows and my heated blanket, into a 1 ½ ‘’ cube. It was great for all my clothes, and jackets. I never travel without space bags.

Instead of using luggage I used rolling duffle bags. These things are lighter then luggage and you can fit more stuff in them. Also after everything is taken out they flatten down really well and can be stored easily. I got mine from Sear’s for $40 bucks each and there awesome.

After I figured out what I had I made a list of all the stuff I needed. Which included rain jacket, boots, sneakers, converters, and about seven hundred other things. Me and my mom went to the mall and did some marathon shopping. I got the cutest boots that I can’t wait to wear with my new skinny jeans!

I was so happy when I finally finished. It was such a relief to be packed and ready, but also kind of sad. I had packed up my life into two bags. It was the first time it felt real that I was going, that it was actually happening.

Some tips of packing for a year:

1)      Space bags, seriously get some.

2)      Pack enough toiletries to get by for a week. I bought little 3oz bottles from Wegmans and filled them with shampoo, conditioner, body wash and face wash. Then I got travel size toothpaste and was set. Unless you’re really picky about toiletries you can buy them all in the country you’re heading to. Saves a ton of room in the luggage.

3)      Duffle bags instead of upright luggage.

4)      Bring decorations! Nothings worse than a dorm room with nothing in it to make you homesick. I had a ton of money left on my printing quota at Brockport so I took a bunch of pictures off of pinterest and photos off of facebook and printed them out. I think I have a like 100 pages of pictures to hang up. Since there just paper there flat and can be easily put into luggage without taking up as much room as posters.

5)      Once you have your campus address you can order things off of Amazon or Tesco and have it sent to your room.