Packing and Preparation?

[firefly06]

Sorry for the double post, but I just thought of something else you can do to prepare. Make scans of any important paperwork or cards you have, like your passport, credit and debit cards, social security card, etc. If you misplace any of these items it is easier to get them replaced if you have the information on them. The numbers to call off of your credit cards are especially important so you can get the cards turned off as soon as you realize they are missing.

Load these files onto an external hard drive to keep safely in your apartment and leave them with someone trustworthy back home so you can the information if you ever need it.

[ChottoMonkey]

Load these files onto an external hard drive to keep safely in your apartment and leave them with someone trustworthy back home so you can the information if you ever need it.

I would also highly recommend that you password protect / encrypt this data. Another option is to also store this files using a service like dropbox so you can have them stored behind multiple passwords (one for dropbox, one for the files themselves) and they can be accessed from any machine what has an internet connection.

[merkypie]

Don't make copies of those cards. If someone gets hold of those numbers, that's it. You don't need to know the card number in order to claim it as lost or stolen. Loss Prevention can look it up via your Social Security number. All documentation like that should go in a safe deposit box at a bank or in a safe at your parents, or closest relatives, home. Never, ever, make copies of your social security card, credit cards, or any other personal information that can easily be stolen. If you need to know your credit card number, driver's license or social security number: remember it.

Dropbox is a cloud. Clouds are not safe. Clouds are good for file sharing and media storage. Not for personal information.

[teabot]

i disagree slightly with merky. i do think that it's helpful to have copies, but i agree that this information is highly sensitive and it should be kept basically only with trustworthy family members or other emergency contacts, as having numbers speeds recovery/replacement when reporting things like lost cards and passports. make sure that whoever you give it to keeps it in a safe place like a lockbox or something, though.

dropbox--as much as i love it--is NOT secure. they have had some privacy/security breaches/issues (honestly i'm unclear on the specifics only that there was something that went down) in the past, so i would not store any sensitive data with them unless it was highly encrypted. basically anything you put on the internet you're taking risks with, so in this case, i think unless you know what you're doing with encryption/security, better safe than sorry and skip internet/cloud storage.

[ChottoMonkey]

basically anything you put on the internet you're taking risks with, so in this case, i think unless you know what you're doing with encryption/security, better safe than sorry and skip internet/cloud storage.

^Yep, only with strong encryption and other data security measures....

[bananallanah]

I am going to using the Eagle Creek Pack It system cubes and folders to help me pack and keep my bags organized. If you have never seen these before they are awesome! Check out this video to see what I mean. They seriously will change the way you pack!

Don't get me wrong, those look cool but damnnnn they're expensive! I'ma just roll the crap out of my stuff.

[ChottoMonkey]

For hardcore packing this is a viable option as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDn9l20NlWw

[nicole.ai]

When I went to Japan, I bought these for $5-10 (depending on how many bags were in the box) at Ross and it really helped save a lot of room in my suitcase and were fairly easy to roll up:

http://shopping.yahoo.com/761056973-itw ... gs-5-bags/

[Kirari]

When I went to Japan, I bought these for $5-10 (depending on how many bags were in the box) at Ross and it really helped save a lot of room in my suitcase and were fairly easy to roll up:

http://shopping.yahoo.com/761056973-itw ... gs-5-bags/

Oh, good to know! I actually bought a couple of these bags over a year ago and never ended up using them. Completely forgot about them until you mentioned it.

[Sendai_Momiji]

For hardcore packing this is a viable option as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDn9l20NlWw

Duuuuuuuude....How cool would that be to show up at TO with just a carry on bag and your personal item bag? That is some hardcore packing. I might just have to try that out.

[Kirari]

For hardcore packing this is a viable option as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDn9l20NlWw

Duuuuuuuude....How cool would that be to show up at TO with just a carry on bag and your personal item bag? That is some hardcore packing. I might just have to try that out.

That's my plan, if I can do it! Just have to leave some room for the 9lbs of materials we'll be getting.

[teabot]

For hardcore packing this is a viable option as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDn9l20NlWw

Duuuuuuuude....How cool would that be to show up at TO with just a carry on bag and your personal item bag? That is some hardcore packing. I might just have to try that out.

been there, done that.

i fit all my TO stuff in a backpack.

That's my plan, if I can do it! Just have to leave some room for the 9lbs of materials we'll be getting.

if it's like last year, you'll be given several big-enough-for-paper/pamphlets/handbooks bags, so if you don't mind carrying another slightly smaller carryon-sized bag, then you're good to go. i came to TO with my backpack and purse, and left with those two bags plus one more one full of TO papery crap (though i had brought said bag from home as a collapsible "eco bag"). whether that luggage situation is practical for you, will depend somewhat on your transportation methods to your CO. i just hopped on the shink so it was excellent, but it might be different for bus or plane people.

[firefly06]

I am going to using the Eagle Creek Pack It system cubes and folders to help me pack and keep my bags organized. If you have never seen these before they are awesome! Check out this video to see what I mean. They seriously will change the way you pack!

Don't get me wrong, those look cool but damnnnn they're expensive! I'ma just roll the crap out of my stuff.

Yeah, they are kind of expensive, but if you travel a lot they are a life saver. My sister just got the ebags version that are cheaper and come in some more sizes and colors and she really likes them.

For all you guys, here is a great video on how to fold your suits and dress shirts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDGWW7_O2sI

[Butonz]

For all you guys, here is a great video on how to fold your suits and dress shirts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDGWW7_O2sI

You know it's funny, because right before I saw your post I was looking at my suits and thinking, "How in the....."

[hugtheworld]

Hi all!

Just wondering- what's everyone planning on doing in terms of printers (sending one along, buying one there, using the one at school/convenience stores)? I've just gone through uni without one and it was a little bit of a hassel (especially where applications and forms were concerned). Is it worth it to buy one and send it ahead? Is this something you can usually buy from your predecessor?

Thanks for your input!!