I have already kicked off summer with a week-long trip down south to visit some of my close family friends and I have many more trips to come. This week I actually head to Minneapolis to meet up with my aunt and spend some time with her at the Mall of America. It's always a fun time packing (rather than unpacking) and a lot of what I bring changes depending on the trip. I love reading about what people pack to bring on trips and I hope you all find joy in it as much as I do. 

Obviously, a necessity for travel is to have a toothbrush and toothpaste with you. I've forgotten them before and suffered from not having one for like a day. I'm not picky when it comes to toothbrushes and toothpaste, but the ones I like are by Colgate and Oral-B. Usually, I just throw ones I get from the Dentist in, as well as, the mini Sensodyne toothpaste that I love. 

I go through different deodorants when it comes to traveling and I tried this Alba Botanica Clear Deodorant that has tea tree oil, and I have to say I'm not entirely impressed with it. I was down south in Missouri, 90 degrees every day, and I had to go purchase a new deodorant. It just doesn't work. Sometimes natural isn't always practical or comfortable. Go with the deodorant you like because it is not worth trying out a new one when you're visiting other people. 

Stink is the last thing you should worry about. I also make sure to have one of my travel sized bath gels that I normally get from Bath and Body. The one I have loved the most is the Happiness Essential Oil gel with bergamot and mandarin, which are both my go-to scents at the moment. 

For my skin, I usually make sure to carry some small lotion or cream and a couple of lip products. Traveling can be harsh on your skin especially if you're flying. I love Khiel's and their Creme de Corps hand cream and Lip Balm #1 are my staple moisturizers. I find myself ritually putting both on to make sure my hands and lips are silky smooth. I've also enjoyed Glossier's Balm Dotcom in coconut as a skin and lip salve when I need extra love. 

For under my eyes, so I don't look like I've been traveling all day, I have just discovered this new eye cream by Nourish Organic. It is enhanced with avocado and Moroccan argan oil to help relieve and cool sensitive skin. It also has a cooling applicator which I love when my eyes need it most! I also make sure to always protect my skin with the Clarins UV Plus Multi-Protection Sunscreen. It's so tiny, but a little goes a while and it is perfect to travel with. 

To lift up my face and look more awake, the Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum is a great pick me up. It evens out my skin from dark spots or sun spots when I'm outside all day. I would really suggest this to anyone looking for a light, oil-free serum! Pairing it with my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer is perfect to balance my skin without feeling like I have so many things on my face during the day. 

I usually throw in a small hair spray or styling product in case I feel like I will be curling or ironing my go-to hairspray is the Nexxus Comb Thru Hairspray. It's not sticky or stiff and is perfect for adding texture to any look. Especially the wavy lob I love. 

I'm also obsessed with this new travel bag that I found at TJ Maxx. I swear that place is like heaven to me sometimes—the saving grace. This hunter green bag is just what I was looking for with the gold hardware and it is really deep and big enough for my toiletries and makeup. 

I'm always curious to see what other bloggers bring along on trips and I feel like I have a solid travel bag a the moment. I'm looking forward to going to new places this summer and updating you guys. You shouldn't have to worry about forgetting anything when you're with the people you love! 

I remember what my first month of college was like: I was so excited, nervous, anxious, and ready for a new adventure. I'm sure some of you are at that point in your life when you are also ready to start a new beginning, whether that be at college, a new job, or a life stage achievement. It seems like it was yesterday when I was reflecting on the first couple of weeks. From this year alone, I've learned more about myself and the person I want to be—that's one of the major discoveries in college. 

I thought I was going to be really stressed this year and surprisingly, my stress levels have probably decreased since high school. I was so worried about where I was going and once I actually got to college, there was sudden relief of weight off my shoulders and I can just fully apply myself without anything bugging or distracting me. Of course, my anxiety never leaves, but I've found it easier to manage.

I have also been more in the moment when it comes to making bolder and riskier decisions. We get so comfortable at home and I made it a priority to get out of my comfort zone a bit and just live my life while I'm still young (wow cliché Nat). While it does seem very pretentious of a college student to feel so much independence and freedom, you still need to remember who you are and what you value when you go off to college. 

College is not for everybody, but for those who are going or are currently in college, I offer you my thoughts on Freshman year and more advice in this post I wrote last week, here. It's a continual learning experience, more about yourself than anything else. Accepting others, as well as yourself, embracing failure and growth, applying yourself more, is what's to come. You will hit highs and lows, but as long as you stay true to yourself, you'll have a happy, healthy, and memorable four years. 

01. You Will Take Time to Adjust

It probably didn't take me until after winter break to feel comfortable in my dorm and being away from home for so long. Don't worry about other people who are so independent that they could care less about being away from home and their families. It's different for everyone, so don't feel bad if you need to facetime your dog or call your mom. 

02. You Will Be Sad

Sometimes you might just feel really down and have a short crying sesh in the shower. No big deal. You will get through it and you will have better days. Acknowledge it, talk it out, and move on. 

03. You Will Get Stressed

You will also have varying amounts of unwanted stress. It's normal. No one told you to go to college and be as cool as a cucumber. It's hard and finding ways to cope with stress and handle it such as working out, meditating, or treating yourself is a great start to relieving the angst.  

04. You Will Make Friends & Love Interests

You are probably going to meet your best friends some point in time and you will think the coffee shop barista is really cute. Embrace social moments and get out there! Say hi to that cute barista or just wave at someone in one of your classes you see on the quad. You'll find that you meet your best friends in the oddest of places and times. 

05. You Will Make Bad Decisions

You might stay out until 3 am, miss a class or two, you might drink, get a tattoo, you might try illegal substances, but you need to remember how to be responsible and realize that college isn't about wasting your experience and education on dumb mistakes. Everyone messes up and you're gonna pay for it. 

06. Your Communication Skills Will Improve

It will be uncomfortable trying to meet new people and get in front of your college seminar, but just like high school, you'll find your ease and talking to people and being upfront will get easier with time. 

07. You Will Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

You will probably have to talk and present in front of the class, go to a frat party, stay out really late, deal with a drunk person or two, have to write a 12-page research paper, travel alone, deal with bad roommates, or whatnot. Embrace it and learn from it. 

08. Classes Will Be Hard

I wrote a 15-page research paper on Buddhism and Buddhist thought, so at times things will get challenging and it will feel like work builds up. Time management and prioritizing things you need to get done in college is crucial. Don't procrastinate and stay at the library for 12 hours the night before an exam. 

09. Classes Will Be Suspiciously Easy

I've even had some classes where there were only two papers due for the entire course. You will have 100 level classes like that and they're usually the most interesting. I had my caveman anthropology class that only had three small papers due, but it was probably the most engaging and interesting one I've taken so far. 

10. The Food Will Suck

After the first week, you've already tried everything from every cafeteria kiosk and it starts to get a bit repetitive. Switch things up and try to eat healthy when you can. I know it might feel like you can't get away from cafe food, but treat yourself on the weekend and find a new hotspot in town. 

11. You Will Be Broke

If you don't already have a job or a way of constant income, you'll find that your bank account will start to cry. I have picked up many babysitting and nannying jobs on the weekend because I live close to home, but take advantage of your school's career center or Facebook groups to find and pick up extra jobs and extra Uber cash. 

12. You Will Be Homesick

You are going to miss your fam and your pets, you'll miss the easy access to food, good showers, a nice bed, and privacy for sure. It's important to bring things that remind you of home to keep you going and motivated to get through the semester. It might seem hard at times, but time really does fly in college. Look at me! I'm already done! 

13. You Will Be Confused

You will have moments of utter confusion: assignments might be hard, people might not know how to communicate as well, you might get lost on campus, it's all a learning experience. Don't be afraid to ask for help in desperate times of need. 

14. You Will Feel Lonely

Going about your 9am classes, then to yoga, and spending the rest of the night at the library might get to be a bit lonely. You're gonna find that some weeks you'll be really independent and things might just get really busy and you're routine will daze you. Try to find something fun in town or study with a friend. Also, don't worry about being alone in college, finding yourself introspectively is one of the most important parts of it! 

15. You Will Have A Great First Year 

Your attitude and approach to college will highly affect what you get out of it and make of it. Embrace all moments because it goes by fast. Go at your own pace, meet new people, be open to new perspectives, reach above your comfort zone, apply yourself, and you'll have a great year, just like me!