Packing like a pro

We’re going to talk packing today. Now, this is a tricky subject for myself, 99 percent of women and a lot of men. As someone who has over-packed so many times and under-packed only once, I like to tell myself that I’ve finally learned exactly what it takes to pack correctly. (It’s taken me long enough!) What’s even more tricky is packing for a long trip, like a semester abroad, so we’re going to focus on that.

1. Pack outfits! Over-packing typically comes from throwing in a bunch of random shirts, skirts and just stuff because you think “I might wear this; I don’t know what I would wear it with, but it could come in handy.” WRONG. If you don’t know what you would wear it with and for, don’t pack it!
2. Pack clothes that layer well. This is especially true for a semester abroad because you can wear the clothes in any weather. It sounds obvious, but that’s one thing that people always forget to do. They think that if it’s cold, they need a bunch of really heavy sweaters and sweatshirts. Simply not true.
3. Don’t pack for every “what if,” pack for the “what ifs” that actually might happen. “I’m going to Madrid in the summer. But what if there is a freak storm, and I need a parka.” Not gonna happen; don’t fret. “I’m going to Paris in the summer, and the weather says it will be really hot the whole time I’m going to be there, but I might need a jacket anyways. Paris weather is incredibly unpredictable.” True; you’re so smart. Pack that jacket.
4. The only items you can over pack- under garments. Regardless of whether you’ll have access to a laundry machine, you really can never have too many pairs of underwear or bras. Clean underwear- priceless. And it’s good in case you get caught in rain; bras take forever to dry, and there’s nothing more uncomfortable than a damp bra.
5. Always bring a bathing suit. You’re going to Sweden in the winter. Still bring a bathing suit. You honestly never know why you could need it, and since it’s so small, it will barely take up any room. And you definitely won’t want to buy one just out of necessity because swim suits are so expensive for barely any material.