TRAVEL CO-EDITOR ELISE DIXON
To Over Pack or to Under Pack? BY LAUREN
To overpack or to under-pack that is the question… Not quite Shakespeare though and I’m sure he never thought about this question. But here I am to show you the advantages and disadvantages of each. Firstly, overpacking can be so useful sometimes. Only when you pack the right things. When you overpack you are ensured to have all the items you need in case of any emergency! Such as having loads of clothes in case of weather or accidents with food or generally anything that could ruin your clothing. But when you overpack, coming back home with that bag or suitcase is a nightmare! Especially if you have bought things whilst being on holiday/ being away that needs space in that overpacked suitcase… It’s not going to be easy. As well as this lack of space for new things, it is always harder putting everything back in the suitcase the second time around than before when you were packing to go away. Always harder when you are
packing to go home… or maybe it’s a sign you should stay on holiday! Secondly underpacking can be a nightmare, as when people tend to under-pack it means they have left important things at home and have a mad rush to find shops with items they needed but never bought with them in the first place. However, on the other hand, buying new items and clothing won’t be a problem when packing at the end of the holiday. Personal opinion, I am an overpacker as I hate the thought of not having enough clothing options and underwear and toiletries, just everything you can possibly think of, I’m worried I might need it. I have always struggled with getting everything back into the suitcase the night before going home, the panic to find space for newly bought items, the stress this causes in general. I would love to be an underpacker, but that will probably never be the case! What kind of packer are you?
35 • T R AVE L • S TUDENT LIFE
