Every year thousands of High School teachers, Colleges Professors and Grad Students descend upon multiple locations for a week of scoring Advanced Placement (AP) Exams. This week I take off for my fourth stint grading AP Comparative Government Exams. From 8 to 5:30 each day you can find me sitting at a table with 7 other people grading essay after essay and chuckling at the variety of ways high school students will attempt to spell the word ‘coup d’état’.

For this week’s blog post I’m giving my advice to what to pack for AP Grading (or, for any other work Conference you might attend). Here are the things I’m making sure to include in my suitcase:

Similar Pink // Similar Cardigan// White Chiffon (Order a size or 2 up!)

Green Scarf// Paisley Scarf from Target, in store only

1 – Long Sleeved Shirts or even better, Cardigans – I don’t know about every other Conference, but in my experience most conferences I’ve attended have been in air-conditioned buildings. I have learned to wear cardigans or wear layers so that I can adjust between rooms inside that are freezing and outside weather that is hot. (Plus, it’s great to have these for the airplane too!)

2 – Scarves –  Scarves are a main staple of my AP grading attire. They’re a great accessory but also practical because the large ones can be worn around the neck to keep your core warm or used as a shawl to cover the arms. They’re also very packable so they can shove easily into a bag for when they aren’t needed.

H&M bag, old. Similar (4 colors) // Most Similar Yellow Scarf and Similar Yellow Scarf // Similar Size and Material Clutch

3 – A sturdy tote bag – A bag like this is great for planes but also to have on hand for those times (like conferences or to take to church) you just need something large enough to lug a number of things around. In mine I often have my Surface, phone, scarf, a possible change of shoes and a smaller clutch with essentials.

4 – A small clutch – A clutch can keep small items from getting lost in the large tote but also is handy to grab out of the tote for a break or to take on its own to explore town. Get one big enough to fit your phone, credit cards/license, and any other small items you might need throughout the day like your lipstick or chapstick (and your business cards, for those new contacts you’re making!).

Inside the clutch:

5 – Revlon ColorBurst Balm Stain Lip Crayons – I have fallen in love with these lip products. I stick these in my purse for school because they match almost every lipstick I own and are wonderful for touchups because the crayon has the precision of a lip liner with the touchup power of a lipstick. They wear out quicker than my lipsticks but are so easy to toss in my purse. I’m going to bring them to AP grading because remember, lipstick is one of the best accessories and it helps me look and feel professional, even after 6 hours of grading essays!

6 – Tylenol/Aspirin – Last year at AP grading I got the worst headache I have ever had in my life and I ended up staying up all night in pain. Eventually I got so desperate that I pulled out my phone and googled natural ways to heal a headache when you don’t have Aspirin. Now I always bring at least a few tablets of Tylenol or Aspirin just in case I decide pinching the bridge of my nose and covering my forehead with a cold cloth while massaging the back of my neck/base of my head just isn’t going to cut it.

For the Suitcase:

7 – A Good Suitcase – Few things are as horrible as having to run through an airport to make a connection while dragging a suitcase that weighs you down. I have always bought my suitcases at Ross or TJMaxx. They are great quality (just bought an Anne Klien one for $60) and much more affordable than going through a department store.

8 – Jewelry Organizer – I used to toss my jewelry into ziplock bags for traveling but after having a few pairs of earrings break and necklaces get tangled I bought this organizer from The Container Store. I LOVE it. It rolls up to pack and when I get to my hotel I can hang it in the closet and see everything that I brought with me!

9 – Comfortable Shoes – At some point, even when you travel for work, you’re going to probably do some walking. For me, I walk long distances between the dining hall and grading location. Plus, after grading is over it’s great to get out and explore the city I’m visiting so good shoes are a must.

10 – Earplugs – You never know when you might have to room with someone who snores. ‘Nuff said.

Well, that’s my list of important things to bring to AP Grading or any other work conference you might have to attend. What kinds of things do you always bring when you have to travel for work?