Spring is in the air – or maybe just in the minds of students as they begin to think of where they will be this time next week for Spring Break.

Whether traveling to the beaches of Florida, the ski slopes of Colorado or even just home, there are some things to know before leaving on any trip.

We at FYI feel it’s important for students to have fun on Spring Break, but understand traveling is stressful for some. In order to ease some of the stress we have compiled a list of tips to help you before and during your week-long adventure.

Preparing to leave

When getting ready to leave for any vacation there are some important things to remember.

• Park your car in a safe and legal spot. Having a car towed while gone is not the most exciting thing to come home to.
• Before you leave, do a walk-through of your home or apartment and make sure to lock all windows and doors.
• If you’re still concerned about leaving a home or apartment unattended, ask a neighbor or friend to check in on the place every couple of days.

Packing

When packing many things come in to consideration – what you will be doing, weather, mode of transportation and length of stay.

• When you begin to pack your clothing, keep in mind most places will get cold at night. Plus, you don’t want to be returning to snow-covered Iowa in shorts and flip-flops.

  By rolling up clothing, you can save space in a suitcase.

• If you roll your clothing and it becomes wrinkled, there are products such as Downy Wrinkle Release that can help with that.
• Think about if there will be a lot of shopping and souvenir buying. Consider leaving excess space in a suitcase so there will be enough room for your loot on the trip home.
• Placing a dryer sheet in a suitcase can keep the clothing smelling fresh.

Luggage

• After you’re done packing, be sure to make a distinctive marking on your suitcase. Often, a bright ribbon on the handle will do the trick. This will help you differentiate your suitcase from others. But in case your luggage gets lost, it’s smart to have a picture of it with you.
• If luggage does get lost, keep your cool. Often airlines can have your luggage there in less than 24 hours and sometimes will offer to pay for necessities to get passengers by until their luggage arrives. Remember, anywhere students visit will sell clothing, so you can buy a change of clothes.
• Packing a change of clothes in your travel-buddy’s suitcase will help if your luggage gets lost.
• The last thing most students will pack is their carry-on luggage. Be sure it fits each airlines’ rules. Examples of these are restrictions on size, liquids and electronics. Check with the carrier you’re flying with before leaving to find out this information. A carry-on should also include all of your identification information and hotel information.

Safety

One thing many students forget while packing for Spring Break is they must always keep safety in mind.

Familiarize yourself with important streets and landmarks in case you get lost. Try asking your hotel for more information about this.

• Know the laws at a vacation destination – including the drinking age.
• Use the buddy system. Have a plan for if someone does get lost from the group.
• Never tell “new friends” where you are staying and always meet them in a public place. Remember, they are still strangers – no matter how close of “friends” they become.
• Never accept drinks from strangers.
• Watch how much everyone is drinking. Excess sun and too much alcohol can increase your chance of dehydration.
• If going to the beach, be aware of flag warnings. It is important to know when it is safe to go into the water. If the flag or a lifeguard says it’s not safe to go in, don’t be rebellious – these people are not trying to make Spring Break a drag, they’re just trying to keep everyone safe.
• Most importantly, keep your identification with you at all times.

Emergencies

• Pack your insurance card, you might need to use it.
• Remember to leave an emergency phone number and hotel information with families. Cell phones don’t always work outside of the United States, so families may need a way to get a hold of students in an emergency.
• Carry two forms of identification, such as a passport and drivers license. This is especially true if traveling internationally.

Now that you have some tips on how to have a successful Spring Break, it is up to you to make it the time of your life. Be smart, stay safe and have fun.