You asked:

What should I bring home -- and what should I leave at school -- for winter break?

My best advice is to think ahead and consider your travel plans. Weight regulations and baggage costs are worth checking out if you’re flying home. Almost all airlines now charge a fee for checked luggage, and most have a weight limit. To avoid paying for overweight baggage (or leaving half of your belongings at the gate), be careful with the number and size of bags you pack.

You’ll have a little more flexibility if you’re driving or carpooling home -- but depending on the size of the vehicle and who’s joining you, you’ll still have to be careful not to crowd out friends or hoard the trunk.

Once you know how much you can physically bring home, make a list of things you want and need up until the day you pack. This way, you are less likely to forget the important stuff. Also consider these factors when making your list:

• Clothing: At home you’ll likely have easy access to laundry facilities (and free detergent), so you won’t need to pack an entire month’s worth of clothes. A week’s worth of clothes should do the trick.
• Necessities: Don’t forget to pack your underwear and wallet. You’d be surprised what people leave behind. You know your parents already have things you use daily, like shampoo. There’s probably plenty of electronic equipment (think chargers, printer) at home, too -- so no need to lug that home.
• Pets: This may sound obvious, but don’t forget to make travel plans for your pets! If you’re worried that your fish or frog won’t travel well with you, send a local friend home with instructions on how to take care of it.
• Food: If you have any food in your dorm or apartment that’s open, chuck it, eat it or take it home with you. Open food is likely to either go bad or attract bugs (gross), so if you must leave food like chips, cereal, etc., be sure to seal it well. Unplug your fridge to let it defrost and dry out at least 48 hours before you leave. Why? Many schools turn off the power when dorms are closed, and you don’t want to come back to any stinky surprises in your fridge.
• Charity: ’Tis the season to get a little winter cleaning done. While you pack, consider donating the things in your room that you never use.

Name: Sarah Arsenoff
School: UNC Wilmington
Year: Senior
Major: Marine Biology
Her Deal: This is Sarah's third year as an R.A. for freshmen and international students. She writes for Periplus, a university newsletter for students who, like her, are in the honors scholars program.

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