Lighten Your Load: Tips for Summer Packing
By Danielle Collins ‘20
As the year winds down, it’s time to get packing! If you’re not within driving distance of USC, packing for the summer can be pretty stressful (I know it is for me). Let me share a few packing tips and tricks to try to lighten your load!
There are 3 things you will need to pack: things for storage, things for your suitcase, and things for shipping! Read on to learn more about each step of the packing process.
For Storage:
What to store:
- Put things in storage that you are going to need in your dorm/apartment next year, but won’t need at home over the summer. So things like your bedding, organizational tools, decor, books, clothes you don’t need for the summer, etc.
Where to store:
- I store at StorQuest Self-Storage on Hill Street, but there are lots of options! If you don’t already have something booked, you should do so ASAP because places fill up quickly with summer just around the corner!
- I recommend not using USC storage, as it is overpriced and people sometimes have trouble getting their boxes returned to them on time.
How to store:
- Invest in plastic bins from Target, or a similar store! The best part about bins is that they stack neatly and take up less space. Also, you can keep them year to year! They are so much better than using cardboard boxes.
- Also, fill up any storage you use in your room with other things! For example, I have plastic drawers under my bed, so I fill them up with my bedding for storage.
- To get your stuff to the storage unit, you’re going to need a car. Ask a friend to help you out, or look into renting a car for the day.
For Suitcase:
What to pack:
- Everything you need for the summer, or things that you don’t want to bring back to USC. However, make sure to choose the lightest things to pack, and ship the rest (see section below).
- I recommend packing basically just clothes, toiletries, and valuables. The rest can be shipped!
How to pack:
- Use the rolling method!! This is a LIFESAVER for packing large quantities of clothes… it really does save space! Check out this page to learn how to roll different kinds of clothes and prevent wrinkling.
- Make sure to weigh your suitcase! Most airlines have a weight limit for bags (usually 50 pounds) or you will get charged an insane fee. It’s better to stay under the weight limit and ship some clothes than go over and have to pay extra at the airport.
For Shipping:
What to ship:
- Heavy items! I usually ship shoes, books, and anything I couldn’t fit in my suitcase.
How to ship:
- Go to FedEx! There are three locations near campus: The Village, Parkside Apartments, and on Fig. They have boxes you can purchase, so just pack those up and bring them back to the store to have them shipped!
- I recommend shipping a few smaller boxes instead of a big box. Prices will come out about the same, but you won’t have to deal with the hassle of lugging a giant heavy box to the FedEx store. With smaller boxes you can take a few trips if you need to, and save yourself the hassle of renting a dolley.
My last piece of advice is to start packing sooner rather than later. With finals and end of the year activities, time will run short, and you don’t want to be panicked to pack. Get a head start on things! Start packing up bins of things you won’t need, or making small trips to your storage unit, or sending a couple of boxes home. Happy packing!
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