You’ve submitted your applications, been accepted to your preferred university, and have begun to make plans for life after graduation. But before you can start having fun, you’ll need to carry your worldly belongings over land and water to ensure you have everything you need to feel at ease. You claim it’s simple? Well, you could be in for a pleasant surprise packing blunders can be both pricey and inconvenient, so don’t be alarmed. We’ve discovered five typical packing blunders that almost everyone does. So have a look, and please try to avoid these typical packing blunders.
- Exceeding the Maximum Allowable Weight
Some of you may scoff, but overpacking is so easy to do, especially if you’re in a hurry or a tad eager, yet overweight luggage on foreign flights may really break the bank! Allow enough time to pack carefully, and spend a few minutes to figure out what you’ll truly need (clothing, books, sports equipment, etc.). Don’t be tempted to stuff everything in ‘just in case.’ Finally, weigh your case before leaving the house to ensure it does not over the weight restriction. The simplest method is to use a set of bathroom scales. Checked baggage has a weight limit of 50 pounds.
- Inefficient Space Utilization
There’s no need to fold everything with origami accuracy, but when it comes to packing your bag, it’s worth taking extra precautions. Remember that your luggage will be tossed around and handled a lot, so pack carefully to ensure that your belongings are safe. In case of leaks, keep any liquids or toiletries in a waterproof container or plastic bag, and cushion the outside with softer things. Instead of folding your clothing, try rolling them to reduce wrinkles and provide more room in your case so you don’t overfill it and risk it exploding.
- Prohibited Items
If you don’t want to spend your first few hours in the nation with local customs officers, look up the list of restricted or forbidden products for the country you’re visiting. Weapons, meat products, plants, alcohol, and uncommon animal products can all be troublesome, so be sure you have the proper papers if you’re transporting significant amounts of medication. It’s also worth remembering that liquids are limited to 100mL or less unless they’re medicine with accompanying documentation.
- Packing Items That Aren’t Necessary
Unless you’re studying on top of a mountain in a lonely and desolate location, you’ll almost certainly be able to access the essentials no matter where you are. You’re squandering vital space if you try to cram in enough hair product to last the whole year. Excess luggage costs are not justified for toiletries, books, or music, which may all be purchased locally or digitally. If you have a lot of emotional objects that you can’t throw away but can’t afford to take with you, look for an inexpensive storage solution or leave them with a relative to keep safe.
- Failure to Plan Ahead
You’ll want to shower/sleep and check in/register as soon as you reach at your location, without having to unpack anything. With this in mind, pack everything you’ll need in the first 24 hours into one box or case so you can get settled in straight away when you arrive.