As the spring semester rolls itself out into what has been a surprisingly quick few months, we are approaching spring break at alarming speeds. I don’t know what your plans for spring break are, but I am packing up and heading out of the US for the first time. I’m taking this International Hospitality class, and as a part of the course, we go to Italy for spring break. Being that I’m a college student and I have very little excess money to spend for this trip–and we’re going to be taking a train to several different towns throughout the week–I will only be bringing a carry-on, no additional baggage. That being said, I have nine by fourteen by twenty-two inches to pack everything that I need for a week while leaving room for the inevitable shopping that will be done.

Luckily, however, I have a few tricks up my sleeve when it comes to getting a suitcase packed tight, and, in this blog, I will share them all with you.

Photo by Savvy Spreadsheets

1.Packing List

Start off by making a list of all of the items that you will be taking. Getting your mind focused on what you need is the best way to start this process. Do some research; plan out outfits; think logically and practically–if you’re going sightseeing in Europe for a week, bring a couple pairs of jeans or slacks and 5 or so tops. Don’t overpack!

2.Gather and lay out all of your items.

Once you have your list, gather everything that you want to pack and lay it all out in categories of their physical attributes. Put bulky stuff together, socks together, heavy stuff together, toiletries together… get everything sorted so that when you go to actually pack it into your suitcase, you’ll only have to do it once.

3.Roll, don’t fold, your clothes.

To save space and be able to cram your stuff into a tighter space, roll clothing into cylinders or spheres, don’t fold them. This video will give you some good ideas of how to do that.

4.Heavy, then bulky, then itty-bitty.

Start by packing the biggest items in the wheel-end–you don’t want your suitcase to fall over all the time in the airport! Then move to the bigger stuff, putting it in in layers, filling small gaps with smaller, more flexible items.

5.If you’re checking a bag, put a shopping bag in one of the external pockets.

Nine out of ten airlines will allow you to carry on a shopping bag for no charge. Carry an empty one with your checked bag so that, if you’re a few pounds over, you can just take a couple items out and carry them in the shopping bag. (Be sure to bring a touristy-looking shopping bag though, not just Walmart or something).

Comment below any tips of your own!

Over and out.

-Courtney