How To Pack A Suitcase and Carry-on For A Long Trip

Going on a long trip can be very exciting, but getting packed can be anything but!  Here are some tips to make your packing go smoothly.

How To Pack Your Suitcase

• Make a list.  When you're making your list of what you're packing, take into account the weather, what you will be doing, and if you will be able to access a washing machine and dryer.  Plan out what you'll be wearing each day so you don't end up over-packing (which could end up making you have to pay extra money for checking it at the airport and not have room for souvenirs).  You can always just pick up a cheap shirt or pair of shorts to help make up for under-packing.
  
  A general idea of what you should be on your list: 
  "Unmentionables: Do your mother proud and pack a clean pair of socks, undershirts, and underwear for everyday.
  Shirts or dresses: two fewer than the total number of days in the trip—wear the same outfit on the flight back as you did on the flight out, save two days worth of clothing.
  Pants: a pair of jeans for every other day, slacks as needed.
  Shoes: two pairs of casual shoes (ie a pair of sandals and a pair of sneakers) and a pair of formal kicks.
  Toiletries: If you're bringing your...toiletries through security, be sure to get everything in travel-size bottles and pack them per TSA regulations. If you're checking them with the rest of your gear, you won't need the plastic bag but stick with the small bottles to conserve space nonetheless." (Gizmodo)
  Make sure you include lots of light-weight layers if you are traveling to someplace with fluctuating temperatures.
  Look up the maximum weight and dimensions for the suitcase that you'll be bringing for the airline that you're flying with so you don't over-pack.  Check with the airline and airport securtiy (TSA for the USA, but if you are flying internationally, you have to follow the other country's rules too) on what is allowed onto the plane
• Pick a suitcase that fits your needs
• Decide what gets folded and what gets rolled.  Folded clothing is less likely to wrinkle but can take up more space.  Rolled clothing takes up less space but if rolled improperly can get badly wrinkled.  Dressy items and collared shirts should always be folded, where as t shirts can take being rolled.  Make sure when rolling your clothes that you get out as many wrinkles as possible before rolling and to roll as tightly as possible.
• Shove as many pairs of socks and underwear into your shoes as possible.  This will help your shoes keep their shape and helps you use valuable space.  Put those in the bottom of your suitcase.
• Next place a layer of heavier rolled items such sweaters and jeans on top of the shoes.  The rolled items can fill in gaps between the shoes and create a flat surface for the next layer.
• If you have any fragile items that aren't going into your carry-on, put them in next.
• Now put in the lighter rolled items such as t-shirts and underwear.
• Your folded items go next.  Placing them at the top means less wrinkles get pressed in.
• Jam any leftover lightweight items into nooks and crannies.  
• Place your toiletries on top. 

How To Pack Your Carry-on (For The Day Only)

• Pick a good bag.  Backpacks work very well for kids, teens, and college students (or anyone, really).  Try to pick a bag with lots of pockets for storage and organization.  Make sure it fits the dimensions and weight that the airline allows.   
• Make a list of what you want/need to bring with you.  
• Make sure that you passport and any other travel papers are in your carry-on, along with medication, your phone, wallet, and plane tickets.  Pack these in an easily accessible pocket first.
• Any electronics that you're bringing on the trip go in your carry-on so they are on you at all times.  Make sure they have good cases, because they could get bumped around a lot.
• If the flight is long, include stuff such as neck pillows and eye-masks so you can sleep.  
• Bring any work or school stuff you might need.  
• Bring stuff to do on the plane!  Bring some snacks, too. 
• Make sure your toiletries follow this rule (even thought it's been proven that the TSA is useless):
• Put in a couple of clean pairs of underwear and socks, and a shirt if there's room, so if there's a long layover you don't get stuck with dirty underwear for two days.

Sources:

http://gizmodo.com/5-ways-to-pack-your-suitcase-way-more-efficiently-1477493311

http://www.wikihow.com/Pack-a-Bag-or-Suitcase-Efficiently
http://blog.tortugabackpacks.com/carry-on-luggage-rules/
http://www.wikihow.com/Pack-Your-Carry-on-Bag