Jodie Simons, a study abroad veteran, got her passport in time to leave for the United Kingdom.

A decision that not only made her mass media trip to London easier, but also pleased her mother.

“I held off probably until March,” the journalism junior said. “It takes five weeks to get it.”

Simons also plans on taking it with her when she goes to Cancun for spring break this year.

Representatives from the U.S. Postal Service said they recommend students apply for their passports as soon as possible.

The office at1140 Abbott Road is seeing more student traffic in search of passports with five to 10 students a day, customer service supervisor Michael Barros said.

“Spring break is coming up and we have had students coming in thinking it only takes a few days,” he said. “Also, in the spring students get chances to go overseas.”

Passports can be purchased for $45 from the Department of State, plus a separate $15 processing fee from the postal service.

If students wait, they could find out that the post office cannot deliver the passport before their scheduled trip, Barros said.

“We have had students come in here on Monday and say they are leaving on Friday and they end up losing out on going away,” he said.

For an extra $35, Barros said the passport can arrive within five to 10 working days.

Students also need to have the dates of when they are leaving and returning to the country with them.

One day passports can be purchased, but students will have to travel to Chicago and can only get in by appointment, Barros said.

The normal process can take as long as five weeks.

“There is also an issue of some countries requiring a visa,” he said.

Trips to Mexico and Canada usually don’t require passports, but with added security, Barros said it is recommended that a student have one.

If students plan on going, or even think they may be leaving for overseas, they should apply quickly, Barros said.

“Every spring break there is more anxiety,” he said. “So my suggestion would be to take the precaution to get a passport. They are convenient to have.”

Julie Alderfer, educational program coordinator for the United Kingdom and Ireland, wants students to consider time constraints when it involves the study abroad program, especially during summer overseas trips. The process is slower during the summer because many people are vacationing.

“We remind people that it is a bureaucratic process,” she said.

Tymidd Leton waited until the last possible minute to get her passport. And the agriculture education junior wished she had gotten it sooner, she said.

“You have to get immunization shots and other stuff,” Leton said. “The passport is just another hassle.”