So it is the holiday season and it is time to return home or go to the relatives house that you see once a year, but this year things are a little different. This year you are flying alone for the first time and possibly, for some, it is your first time flying. Well for the first time ever I traveled solo all the way from a small town in Florida to the big city of Philadelphia. I wish I had an advice guide to help me get through the journey with a lot less stress so I decided that I would use my experience to help out other first time travelers.

1. Picking your flight

If you are a broke college kid like myself plan your flight way ahead of time! This gives you time to compare the different airlines and their prices. This will help you determine how much of your paycheck to set aside for the next couple weeks/months to make up for the chunk of change a plane ticket can be. Also, most of the time earlier flights can be cheaper, but remember you have to get there well before boarding time! Also, if you can print out your tickets before arriving to save time.

2. Packing

Unless, your trip is going to be more than a week I would suggest to only do carry on luggage. Checking luggage not only cost you more money, but can be a big hassle. If you are checking a bag carve in another hour into your schedule, because during the holiday season the lines to check bags can get ridiculous. Also, it is not uncommon (it has happened to me more times then I’d like) for checked luggage to get lost. It may be lost for an hour, a few days or worse case scenario permanently. So anything of value (like medication or jewelry) have in carry on. To save room in carryon role clothing and wear your bulkiest shoes on the flight. Pack clothing that can be rearranged into different outfits. Your favorite denim jeans will go with a lot of different tops!

3. How to dress

Where something comfy that fits where your are going more than where you are coming from. I realized I did not do this when I was cold in the Florida Airport on my way to Philly which is way colder. Lesson learned! Also, layers are your friend if you are going from somewhere hot to cold you are pre bundled. If you go from cold to hot you can take clothing off. Also the more clothing you are wearing the less you have to pack. I was wearing two shirts and coat in Florida, but I was thankful when I landed in Philly.

4. Getting to the airport

Get there as early as you can, but not like 6 hours early! If it would be perfect timing for you to leave at 7:30 am try to aim to leave at 6:30 am, because something will always cause you to leave a little later. Like; did I lock the door? Where are my car keys? I think I left my duffel bag back home…. So aiming to leave early will help you not rush and make up for any snafus. If you have a car make sure the gas tank is full and you know where you are parking. If you don’t have a car then you can carpool, take an uber/taxi or something like a train to the airport. If that’s the case plan far ahead and have a backup (and remember you have to get back too, but not necessarily with the same person).

5. Airports and flights can be boring...

If you can pick the window seat so you have a nice view! That’s if an all else fails scenario. It is easy to stay entertained on a flight. You can download a movie that is about the same time as your flight on your tablet of laptop, bring homework (because you won’t want to do it when you arrive), a book or an adult coloring book. My personal favorite thing to bring are magazines (you can even buy them at the airport). There are so many vast topics to read and beautiful pictures to look at. My personal favorite is Glamour because of its range of articles from fashion to interviews with refugees. Other great magazines are Vogue, National Geographic and GQ. Magazines are great because they are portable and if you accidentally leave them on the flight it is no biggie! Also you can recycle them.

Have a plan when you get off the plane, this is just as important as getting there!

Enjoy and stay calm it can be stressful!