Packing to study abroad can be a daunting task. Most people don’t have to pack for 6 months in one suitcase and no matter how many lists you read or YouTube videos you watch you are sure to make a few mistakes. Everybody is different and everybody has different needs based on their lifestyle. But I figured I’d share a few items I packed for a fall semester in London that turned out to be completely unnecessary and a few that I completely forgot. Let’s start with the things I didn’t need. Rain boots were probably the biggest waste of space in my suitcase; I quite literally wore them once in London. I think this is partially because I never saw anyone else wearing them and also because it never really downpoured it was just always damp and drizzly. Also it’s obviously a city so it’s not like it was super muddy or anything(unless you go to Hampstead Heath). The one time I needed rain boots to walk around a nature reserve in Poole and I was able to borrow a pair since I had sent mine home in December. I also brought a pair of nude ballet flats with me which were also completely unnecessary and I literally never wore them, luckily they didn’t take up much space. I just always went with boots over flats because the ground was often damp and flats just meant a lot of my foot would have been exposed to the weather. Another reason was because I always wore black tights with dresses and skirts so nude flats just did not go. Although if it was spring or summer they definitely would have been nice it just got cold much earlier than expected. Athletic clothing was another huge waste of space in my suitcase. I brought a decent amount of athletic gear expecting to workout and I literally used it a handful of times. I don’t regret bringing running shoes or workout clothes just the amount. I definitely could have gotten by with one pair of workout shorts, one pair of leggings and like two tops. It was nice to have it in case I wanted it but I did not need the amount I brought. The next thing that I brought too much of was make-up. It was nice to have some but I certainly wasn’t putting on a full face of makeup everyday so the amount I brought was unnecessary. Plus it is one of those things you can very easily find. Last thing I brought that was unnecessary was notebooks, I really don’t know why I decided to pack them instead of just buying them there but it was a huge waste of space. I should have just gone to Poundland and picked up four notebooks for class. Because I literally used four notebooks and two pens and that was it. This does not include a travel journal that was something that was nice to have beforehand. Now onto things I should have brought. First was an umbrella, I am a rain jacket kinda person but I definitely should have packed an umbrella because as I have stated before it doesn’t really pour it just kind of spits. Which means wearing a rain jacket all day is dumb and you are better off just always having an umbrella in your bag. I ended up buying a small black umbrella from Totes(at Boots). Bralettes, I am not a huge fan of traditional bras and after a few long days in underwire I went and bought myself a few bralettes(at Urban Outfitters). I spent a lot more time out and in real clothes than I normally do in the states, were talking well over 12 hour days and wearing a standard bra was just not comfortable or practical. That is basically it for things I properly forgot. I also had a few things I either planned to buy while there or ended up buying. For toiletries I planned on picking up most of mine once I got there this included: toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, facewash, and feminine products. Of which I had no problem finding my two favorite stores for toiletries are Boots and Lush. T.K. Max was one of my favorite stores and I ended up buying quite a bit there including Christmas gifts and a suitcase for when I downsized. While I was in London I didn’t buy a lot of clothing but I did buy a few pieces. I got a sweater from T.K. Max, a Christmas jumper from Primark, a party dress from Topshop, and a midi-dress and midi-skirt from Zara. Overall I think that is pretty impressive for being over there for almost six months. In the end how much you pack or how much you buy is completely up to you. Personally I was trying not to buy a lot while I was over there just because I hadn’t budgeted for it. But, I’ve had friends who went over with half empty suitcases and budgeted to basically buy a whole new wardrobe so it really is up to you. Keep in mind that you aren’t in the middle of nowhere and if it is that important I’m sure you can find a store that sells it. Hopefully this helps someone learn from my mistakes and saves you some time and money!
Val's Travels 