The Travel Checklist

Photo by: Ashley Alonzo

New to college? Do you feel like you don’t know anything about sport road trips and what to take? Well, here is a helpful list of what you could (or should) take.

Toiletries

Toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, soap, shampoo, towels, face towels, lotions and/or anything that benefits personal hygiene is great to take, especially on overnight trips.

Gear

Remember the whole trip is about the sport you are playing, therefore do not forget to bring your uniforms, shoes, shin guards, face masks, helmets, etc.

Headphones

Always bring something you can listen to music with. This will avoid any noises and annoying conversation from your dear teammates during the car ride… JK. Also, who doesn’t like to listen to music before a big contest or match?

Portable charger

Some buses have plugs while others do not. Don’t leave it to chance and always try to bring an extra portable charger. It is very efficient and easy to carry.

Change of clothes

Always remember to bring a change of clothes, especially if you shower postgame. Nobody likes to be smelly or be forced to use sweaty clothes.

Homework

We are all college students. Even when we say we don’t have homework, the odds of this is very rare. We always have homework. But sometimes we are not fully aware that we do, so there is always something that could be done for class. Bring some homework to do either on the bus ride or if there is any free time.

Blanket and Pillow

If it’s an overnight trip, it is best to BYO pillow and blanket. Student athletes always share a bed, and sometimes the pillows or blankets are not as comfortable as your own.

Chargers

Laptop chargers, phone chargers, headphones chargers, any charger you might need -- make sure to bring them. It is better to be safe than having to borrow someone else’s charger.

Money and ID’s

Yes, you will need your ID, and some money, especially if you go to a cool place and want to enter somewhere you have to be 18 or older. Bring money if you wish to spend some. The majority of times we say we don’t want to spend money, but once we are there, we wished we would have brought some.

Snacks

Believe it or not, coaches sometimes forget to feed their players. Since they are not playing, they are not wasting the same energy, so it’s easy to forget to stop and eat. Keeping some snacks around is a great way to avoid starvation. Also everyone eats differently, so even if athletes do eat, they might end up getting hungry again.

Depending on how far the trip is, or how many days you’re staying, always try to plan out how much you need to bring. Make a checklist just to make sure you don’t forget something necessary and are ready for the trip ahead.