‘Tis the season of traveling, so here are a few travel tips I’ve picked up over time. If you have a tip or trick you’d like to recommend, feel free to comment. These tips have helped me a lot this past year, and I am honored to share them with you.

Let's start with a few days prior:

• Plan an emergency fund of $2,000 if solo traveling for one to two weeks.

• 2-3 days before your trip, you will want to make sure you are packed for the weather. I suggest not only looking at the temperature but also the humidity levels, the “feels like” temperature based on wind and humidity, the UV index, and the weather predictions of up to five days after you leave your vacation spot.

• If you're only traveling with a check-in bag, make sure to tag your bag with your first name and number. When traveling with only a check-in bag, be sure to pack an extra set of clothes and the travel-size essentials in your carry-on bag.

• Make a Morning of Checklist. This list will include a charger, a wallet, an ID (or student ID), a phone, breakfast, snacks, a water bottle, a Passport (if traveling internationally), headphones/earphones, a pen, your check-in bag (if traveling with one), your carry-on bag, and make sure you have already checked in within 24 hours of your flight time.

• Have an idea of how you want to spend your time traveling (e.g., shopping, eating, learning the culture and/or language, reading at famous libraries, cafe critiquing, etc.).

• Coordinate how you will be getting to and from the airport in both the place you’re traveling to and the place you’re leaving from.

Morning of:

• Wake up a minimum of 1 hour before you plan to leave the house.

• Confirm you have checked in. Your airlines will likely have an app and the option to check in early.

• Make sure your checklist is checked before officially leaving the house.

• Leave at a time when you’ll arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before boarding time for domestic flights and 3-4 hours before international flights, especially if you are traveling from abroad into America.

When traveling:

• When in the airport, keep your passport and ID separate at all times.

• Keep track of your bags, your food, and your drinks.

• Make sure you walk with confidence even when you’re nervous.

• Be actively looking at the TV screens, just in case your gate changes abruptly.

• Have an idea of the nearest emergency exit, AED, fire extinguisher, and, in some places, a tornado shelter.

When at your final destination:

• Connect with or know how you’re leaving the airport.

• Have fun and be safe.

I hope these tips are helpful and useful. Have an amazing time traveling. Take tons of pictures and enjoy yourself. Traveling can be challenging, but I hope these tips can help you optimize your travel experience. Travel safe!