How To Pack For Spring Break

Make a very general list of things you’ll need, like shorts, tops, underwear, toiletries, and shoes. Try not to go overboard—you’ll regret it when you’re lugging a heavy suitcase around.

For each category, figure out how many items you’ll need for the time you’re away. Then toss in an extra one of each.

Pack clothes for going out at night, and one dressy outfit, just in case you end up going to a nice restaurant where tank tops aren’t appropriate.

Traveling, staying up late, being in the sun, eating new food, and, ok, drinking outrageous amounts can do crazy things to your health. Bring medicine for upset stomachs, diarrhea, and headaches.

Pack a sweater or sweatshirt for evenings, an unforeseen cold front, or for places that have the air conditioning cranked.

Put any medicine and cash in your carry-on bag, but leave valuables like expensive jewelry behind.

Make a budget before you go, and consider getting traveler’s checks or putting only that much money in a debit account to avoid overspending. But bring a credit card just in case!

Speaking of being practical: bring condoms. Even if you don’t expect to hook up, you never know what a little moonlight and booze will do.

Don’t forget to bring any paper tickets or your passport, both of which you should have gotten long before now.

Thieves love spring break as much or more than you do: Bring a lock to secure your luggage, and stash photocopies of your credit card and driver’s license in a place separate from the originals, in case they’re stolen. Or, let’s be honest, just plain lost.