Spring Break may be a month and a half away, but in terms of getting that beach body, it’s never too late to start preparing. A lot of students will be going down to Panama City Beach, Key West, South Padre or some other paradise. Regardless of where you’re going, these tips are universal and will help you get started early.

1. Clearly, hit the gym – The odds that you’re going to be on a beach during this week are very high, and you’re most likely going to want to impress. So, if you haven’t already fought your way through the crowded January gyms, I suggest you do so. Even if you have a significant other, it still doesn’t hurt to look your best.
2. Gather casual clothes – When students do flock to the beaches on their first spring break trips, many often make the mistake of bringing some of their nicest clothes. That’s great and all, but if you do spring break correctly, you’re not going to want your nicest clothes to be involved in that hurricane. Sand is everywhere and you may not be making smart choices and neither are your roommates, so don’t let your good clothes pay for your mistakes. Find casual and easy clothes to switch out easily that you look great in and can stand up against the beach shenanigans.
3. Lots of swimwear – As mentioned before, it’s very likely that you will be on or near a beach, so swimwear is key. The ladies are much more inclined to bring multiple bikinis, while the guys are usually not so inclined. Guys, I know it’s not ideal, but with the amount of time you’ll be in the water, you’ll want to avoid wearing damp board shorts.
4. Get your skin ready for lots of sun – This isn’t a huge problem for everyone, but heading down south the sun can do a lot more damage to some people. Whether you’re a naturally pasty English person or someone who just loves to show up tan, hitting your local tanning beds might be a good idea in the months leading up to your trip.
5. The essentials – Going along with making sure your skin is ready for the hot sun, sunscreen is one of the main essentials. Along with that, you need to clearly your toiletries and phone chargers, etc. Essentials can vary from person to person, but can also include sunglasses, flip-flops and extra money, since it’s probably not going to be cheap.