Pack your bags and dig out your passports! Spring Break 2K16 is literally right around the corner. ? We all are familiar with the struggle that is packing. We need to take the necessities and then, of course, what we girls think of as necessities. Then we want to take a couple of options for clothing, including bathing suits (if you’re going somewhere warm). And don’t forget the entertainment along for the ride. The real question is: “How on Earth are we going to make it fit?” I have a few pointers on how to make that work without the fifty-pound suitcase.

When packing, you should always ask yourself: “When will I need this?” If you can’t come up with an answer off the top of your head at that moment, leave it behind. Set aside anything you might need from what you know you need to make packing easier. With the room you have left, you can decide on what to do with the maybes.

Clothing is obviously necessary to pack, but how much is always in question. Always try to pack items you can wear more than once. If two shirts will go with one pair of shorts, you save space in your suitcase. A hack I recently discovered before my last vacation is one where you roll your clothing like a newspaper rather than fold it. It works like a charm because it decreases the space it takes up and prevents wrinkles.

Bathroom necessities can be a headache to pack, but luckily I have the perfect remedy. The best trick I have to see is one using plastic wrap to keep all of your liquids from leaking out. All you do is simply take a small square big enough to cover the opening and then screw the lid back on. No turnover will cause a spill and it will save the rest of your luggage. You’ll thank me for this one! If you need an idea for Q-Tip storage, an old prescription pill bottle works perfectly.

Girls have a much broader definition of necessities. We need to bring the hairdryer, the straightener, the curler and then there’s the mascara, foundation, and eyeshadow. Oh and don’t forget your L’Oreal Brow Drama. How do we manage to take all of it? If you are going with a friend, you should try tag-team packing. It is much more effective than both of you bringing the same thing.

The carry-on is essential when going on vacay. This one bag will contain everything that has to keep you busy in your travel time, so it is important to have all you need to entertain you. My first tip would be to use a bag that is small, but roomy and easy to access and won’t end up in your fellow passenger’s lap while you fiddle trying to find your earbuds. Speaking of earbuds, the best way to store these tangly suckers is to follow this model. I have never had a problem with the tangle of earbuds when using this little hack.

Packing can be a headache, but with these few little tips and hacks, it can be easily resolved. Take my word for it. I’ve tried all of these out myself and they make all of the difference! Get to packing! Spring break is just a few days away!