The countdown has officially begun. In less than three weeks, I will be the one jet setting across the Atlantic for my semester abroad (abandoning no roommates in the process). These three weeks will be teaming with packing, prepping and general planning of every kind. I have my bags to think of, one carry on duffel (pray for me), my paperwork to get in order and my cell phone to reset, all on top of the fact that at there will be an 11-hour flight somewhere in there. It's a lot. Luckily, there are countless students that have been through the exact same process. Here are a trick, a tip and a resource to help get ready for a semester abroad.

1. Resource: Sonia's Travels

She may not be a college student that tailors specifically to the study abroad audience, but she does have a killer repertoire of travel trips. On her YouTube channel, she covers everything from getting through security quickly, to electricity conversions, to getting through long haul flights. She has one video meant for study abroad students, but the rest are worth checking out too!

2. Tip: Journal Your Journeys

Writing down or capturing everything on your trip may seem more like homework and less like a useful, rewarding thing to do. But almost every study abroad source I have explored encourages students studying in different countries to document their experiences in some form, be that by hand, camera, blog, or whatever medium the student may choose. It seems like a great way to document your personal voyage, not just the physical one. Here are some articles outlining why journaling abroad matters from the Study Abroad Blog and Cengage Brain.

3. Trick: The Capsule Wardrobe

I spend way too much time on Pinterest to not know about the capsule wardrobe. This closet cleaner slash packing simplifier has been lauded by many a blogger for making their outfits that much more polished. In short, a capsule wardrobe is a small collection of well loved items of clothing that can be swapped around and worn a handful of different ways. This technique maximizes the use of your clothing, without taking up unnecessary space. Trust me, it's great stuff. Here are some articles on how and why you should get started from the Everygirl, the La La and the Blissful Mind.