Before hightailing it out of The Plains to the Ole Miss game this weekend, there are several things to remember when packing your bags.
"Remember to pack a pillow that you don't mind forgetting," said Maggie Daley, senior in public relations. "I forgot my pillow that matched my sheet set in Kentucky a few weekends ago."
Finding a place to stay in unfamiliar territory might seem like a daunting task, but it is a must.
"Having a place to stay is absolutely No. 1," Daley said. "Don't just think you can wing it."
Daley and her friends ended up staying at a $50-per-night motel in Lexington, Ky.
When they turned on the light in their room, bugs started crawling up the walls.
"We slept in our clothes and tried our best to not touch anything," Daley said.
If you're still trying to figure out lodging for the weekend, finding a hotel in Oxford may be difficult because of short notice.
For those who have friends in Oxford, it will be easier to stay with them, said Will Geeslin, senior in accounting.
"The No. 1 rule is to do as the locals do," Geeslin said. "This guarantees that you'll be where the action is."
Geeslin said his No. 2 rule is to stay as close to the stadium as possible to avoid disasters.
Knowing what to pack can be a challenge as well.
In the South, weather is unpredictable.
"Have clothes for any kind of weather," Daley said. "You don't want to freeze your butt off or be dying from the heat."
Checking the weather to know what outfits to bring would help determine things like open- or closed-toed shoes, sweater or long-sleeve shirt, jeans or a dress, etc.
When packing, also try to remember the small, yet important items that may go undetected.
"Bring your paper ticket," Daley said. "That is probably one of the most forgotten items when packing for an away game."
Adding about 45 minutes to your travel time when traveling in a group is a good idea.
Everyone gets ready at different speeds, and you want to give everyone enough time to prepare.
According to Google maps, the travel distance from Auburn to Oxford is five hours and 25 minutes.
"The ability to coordinate bathroom and food breaks is almost impossible," Daley said.
Once you have arrived at your destination remember the Golden Rule.
"Be nice to everyone because you're on their turf," Daley said.
Rely on locals for restaurant recommendations and the best places to park because they'll know from experience.
"Try to not park too far away from the stadium if possible, and don't forget where you're parked," Daley said.
Hart Wardlaw, Ole Miss pharmacy student, said the best thing to do on a Friday night in Oxford is to hang out around the square.
"It's always really crowded, but it's worth it to check out all of the unique food," Wardlaw said. "We spend a lot of time eating."
Restaurants like Ajax, 208 or Proud Larry's give the consumer a good feel for Oxford, Wardlaw said.
"The Library is the place to go if you want to go out to a bar," Wardlaw said. "It's hard to explain, so you'll just have to go and check it out for yourself."
If nightlife isn't your thing, there are more laid-back places to check out in Oxford.
"Rowan Oak, William Faulkner's home, is also a good place to go hang out," Wardlaw said. "It's a great place to have a picnic or to settle down with a good book."
Some of the best places for breakfast are Bottletree Bakery and Big Bad Breakfast, Wardlaw said.
"Bottletree has great coffee and a more eclectic crowd," Wardlaw said. "BBB is the place to go for, just what the title says: a big bad breakfast."
Another hot spot to hit while in Oxford is The Grove.
For those who haven't been on the Ole Miss campus, this is where all tailgating takes place during game day.
"Oxford has so much character and Southern charm," Wardlaw said.
There is plenty to do after the football game to make it a complete weekend.
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