Since I’m currently unemployed I’ve been trying to get ahead on some study abroad listing and even some shopping (by shopping I mean adding things to my Amazon Wishlist while I save money) so that way by the time I hopefully get a job I won’t stress about not being able to have the time to do it later.

In order to do this I have been clinging to my Pinterest (feel free to follow me there) and making lists upon lists of things to pack, things to keep in mind, places to see, and things to see, even throwing in a recipe here and there since I’ll be living in an apartment making my own food.

It’s weird to me that I’m prepping for trip that’s not for another 113 days but I know that those days are going to fly by, so if you’re studying abroad here are my tips for preparing.

• Collect sources. You will not learn everything you need to know from a single site, or even three sites. I like to collect information from a variety, not only to know what could be missing from a list but it’s helpful to see what’s repeated over and over so that you don’t miss anything.
• Make physical lists. I don’t know why this is so important to me, but I do packing lists and buying lists almost always hand written. For something like this the physical aspect of crossing something out helps to emphasize that it was taken care of, but also you can lay it out the way you want it, maybe that’s just a Mary thing but I’m obsessed with the layout of a list itself, almost as much as the content of the list.
• Don’t forget to research everything, what you need, the place itself, the language if need be, your classes, living situations, literally everything. I’ve been zooming in on the pictures of apartments I’ll be staying in trying to figure out the layout and everything. I’m also searching places within Ireland I want to go and even other countries and things I want to do once there (like the Harry Potter studio tours in England).
• Ask questions! I’m sure I’ve been the most annoying student at my regular school and for the program I’m going through because I ask so many questions, but I don’t want to be that person that misses something important that causes me to miss the trip or puts me back. I don’t want the added stress from doing something last minute.

So what are you guys doing to prepare? Or am I the crazy one trying to get this way early head start?