Student Packing Essentials

When I came over, I also had a box with my winter coat & some heavy sweater shipped separately (once I had an address).  You can ground post these, so it's cheaper.  Space bags ARE good.  I've never had any of them ripped open - if they search your bag, I think you can pretty much see/feel that there's only clothes inside (they're clear, anyway).  They ARE dangerous because they can almost be TOO efficient.  I managed to cram everything in my suitcases with space bags, but then the cases were too heavy!!  Weight was way more of a problem for me rather than size.  In this case, my mom was too good of a packer and we got too much in the suitcase.  Just try and keep things as light as possible.  Shoes are really heavy, so sacrifice a few and just face up to having to buy some replacements in the UK (especially boots).  Jackets/sweaters also apply, but I had these shipped because I didn't want to do without some of my favs.

Take a few things like photos or very small trinkets.  They are light & don't take really any space, but you will be very glad you brought them!

I shipped my books via M-Bags, but this is because I've amassed a decent collection on my special subject & needed them for consultation/research.  I'm doing a Master's, so it's a bit different.  However, if you're doing undergrad, don't worry about books at all.  You can buy £1 easy-reads at Oxfam, trust me (and then donate them back when you're reading to go home!).

But I always bring too much stuff, so not sure if you should listen to me!  Hehe...

what about carryon?  is it still 2 items going from the US to the UK?  (i know its only one going Uk to US) You need the backpack anyways in the UK so you could prolly fill it with the heavier stuff as carryon doesnt have a weight limit (they dont weigh them, at least).  More space bags?!?!?!?!?!  or several pairs of shoes. 

I have a luggage peice meant for carry on and my backpack... i plan on filling both to seam bursting point. 

You might want to check about the 2 carry ons. I was under the impression that you only really get "two" if you're carrying a carry on and a purse. I tried looking on the TSA website, but I didn't find anything. It may be that it depends on the airline though. I know southwest only allows one.

Actually... I just found this info by doing a google search:

Q: How many carry-on bags am I allowed?

A: Based on TSA security guidelines, you are allowed one carry-on bag per person in addition to one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase or laptop. Carry-on bags must fit under a seat or in a designated overhead compartment.

Q: How large can my carry-on items be?

A: Carry-on items may be as large as 8x14x22 inches, with a maximum weight of 20 pounds. Boogie boards, strollers, coolers with ice, and guitars in hard-sided cases are not permitted as carry-on baggage.

Q: How many pieces of checked baggage can I bring?

A: On U.S. domestic flights (including interisland), you are allowed up to two pieces of checked baggage without charge. Each bag should weigh no more than 50 pounds and not exceed 62 linear inches.

Excess baggage fees will be charged for more than two pieces of luggage or if one or more of your bags exceeds the weight and size restrictions mentioned above. Bags over 70 pounds will not be accepted.

So it looks like you can only take one carry on with you. I don't know how your situation will be when you get to London, but I will need to pack extra clothing in my carry on just in case something happens to my luggage. I have about a week of orientations for my program and then I move into housing.

ETA: Info found at http://www.alohaairlines.com/contact/customer_faqs.php

You're going to London.  It's one of the major cities of the world, if not THE major city of the world.  You can find ANYTHING you need there if something happens to your luggage, including more luggage!  Make it easy on yourself.  Don't carry too much stuff.     Even if all of your clothes and all your toiletries disappear into the ether, you can easily find what you need at Primark or Boots or wherever.  Just carry what can't be replaced, an extra set of underwear and clothes, basic toiletries and something to do on the plane.  I also carry anything valuable, like jewelry, and my computer.  That's about it. 

DON'T bring books! I was scared about paying uk prices for books so I brought a ton over which took up a lot of space and weight. Then I wound up barely using them, as they were in the library or available as journal articles!!!

DON'T bring books! I was scared about paying uk prices for books so I brought a ton over which took up a lot of space and weight. Then I wound up barely using them, as they were in the library or available as journal articles!!!

It's funny you should mention this. My sister thinks I'm planning on shipping all my books there. I wouldn't have room for them all! I'm planning to take 1-2 small books that are not heavy that won't take up much space for the plane ride, but that's about it.

I just my space bags in and am in love!!! They are so awesome. I actually think I bought too many. They seriously hold a lot. Although they don't recommend you using them for fur, leather or down. So it sorta defeats the purpose when it comes to comforters.

I brought tons of stuff when I moved, but it really turned out to be not necessary to take all of my favorite clothes, shoes, laptop speakers, etc....

Unless you are a special size, you can get easily get cheap clothes (Primark, Tesco, Asda...) and shoes for fun.  I'd bring my very favorite stuff and leave the rest of it if I was doing it over again, although since I am plus-sized I would still bring a lot of my favorite clothing. 

It's no fun struggling through public transportation with 140 pounds of luggage all by yourself!  Save the money you would spend on taxis and shipping and just buy new stuff when you get here.  Especially toiletries and an umbrella--there's really no point, as they are readily available.

I just my space bags in and am in love!!! They are so awesome. I actually think I bought too many. They seriously hold a lot. Although they don't recommend you using them for fur, leather or down. So it sorta defeats the purpose when it comes to comforters.

I used a space bag on my down comforter and it made it through just fine - granted, it was four years old at the time, so not the fluffiest duvet on the block, and it was only in the space bag for about 24 hours, as I brought it over in a suitcase rather than shipping it....but still.

I just want to thank everyone for their advice so far! It has really helped me get a mental image of what I should and shouldn't take with me.

If I were moving over again, I would bring less shoes. In fact, I plan on donating a lot of them when I leave England so I don't have to carry them back. I was a HUGE fan of Space Bags. I brought my favorite down duvet over in one and it was fine when I opened it up. However, unless you have a favorite duvet, just buy one when you get here. They're in every store and they're not expensive.

The duvet issue isn't that big of a deal. We won't need them for the first month so they are all going in the VW bus that we're shipping by boat. I have three suitcases packed. We're a family of 3 so we're allowed six, a carry-on, and a personal bag. So both boys will be wearing messenger bags. HA!
I've been weighing my suitcases to make sure they are under the requirement. But actually Aer Lingus allows two bags not over 80 and 1 can't be over 70, so I think we're in the clear.

Hmmm...what month are you moving here?? I've used my duvets all year! 

Hmmm...what month are you moving here?? I've used my duvets all year! 

And it's just slightly cold at the moment due to the crappy weather - last night I used a duvet, a blanket and if I'd had a hot water bottle, I probably would have used that too (mine was recalled by Boots and I don't have a new one yet) - and this is July!!!

I made my own duvet to bring with me! I thought it would be something to remind me of home. My sister's going to ship it right after I get there. I will have to be able to carry all my own luggage around for a few days, so I have to be sure to pack lightly!


Although, I'm not sure if my definition of "duvet" is the same as the British definition... I thought a duvet was simply a cover that is like a big pillow case but for your comforter. As in, you stick the comforter inside of it. Is this wrong?