Traveling home for the holidays can always be a stressful time. Working out transportation, finishing classes and exams, and figuring out how to pack can feel overwhelming. As an out-of-state student who has more than enough experience traveling home, I’ve gathered some pretty helpful tips to make the process go just a little smoother.
My hometown is over 13 hours away by car, which means whenever I need to go back, itβs a process. Iβve done the drives and flights, and I’ve worked out how to successfully do both. Here are four tips to hopefully make your traveling home for the holidays more hassle-free:
- Plan Ahead
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My biggest piece of advice is to plan ahead. When it comes to flight prices and working out classes, itβs crucial to plan it all ahead of time. In my opinion, thereβs nothing worse than trying to book a flight back late, and there are no times or prices that work with your schedule.
If you have to schedule exams at the testing center or are assigned online work, it’s best to do it in advance so your plans don’t get interrupted.
- Find People Who Live Near You
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My next tip is to find people who live near you. I know it can be hard, especially at a school like FSU, where it feels like everyone is from Florida, but finding a group of people that I know live near me has been unbelievably helpful.
Having a friend to join you on the flights or a group of people to make the miserable drive a little easier has been life-changing! Even if you donβt leave on the exact same flights or trips, bouncing your plan of action off of each other can take away a bit of the stress.
- Donβt Overpack
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When it comes to packing for the holidays, I always try and think less is more. Iβm, unfortunately, a chronic over-packer, and I seem to always forget about the clothes I have waiting for me at home. Then, when Iβm at home, I find things I want to bring back to school but have no room for, so trust me β pack light.
I think this is also a good opportunity to pack things you might want to leave at home that have been taking up room in your college closet.
- MAKE THE TRIP A SURPRISE
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Going home and seeing your family that you havenβt seen in a while can be stressful enough, but when everyone is in your business and asking you questions you donβt even know the answer to, it can become so overwhelming.
Thatβs why when I go home, I try not to tell too many people about my plan. I know that might seem weird, but I find it so much easier and less pressure on myself when only a few people know my plan of action.
The holidays are always fun, and returning home brings a sense of rejuvenation, even with the challenges of travel. The process comes with its share of stress, but in the end, itβs all worth it. I hope everyone has a smooth, worry-free journey home, no matter where theyβre coming from!
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