For many caffeine-wired students, the midterm rush probably has left spring break plans in limbo. While flights may be booked, that's as far as the planning has progressed. Suitcases are most likely strewn on dorm floors, open and empty — what to pack is the least of current worries.

Time spent religiously exercising probably has been abandoned and deemed worthless, as late-night studying and snacking have counteracted any positive results.

Although planning, packing and exercising can't magically occur while you're busy studying, this all-encompassing spring break guide can facilitate last-minute quests for smooth-sailing travel.

Planning and packing

Loading a suitcase can be frustrating if you're not sure if an innocent tube of toothpaste stashed in your carry-on luggage warrants detainment. On the Transportation Security Administration's Web site is a complete, up-to-date list of everything that's permitted and prohibited on aircrafts.

In September, the administration adjusted last summer's rules, so travelers are now allowed to bring liquids, gels and aerosol containers in carry-on luggage as long as they're in 3-ounce containers or smaller. All of these items "must be placed in a single, quart-sized, zip-top, clear plastic bag." Only one plastic bag is allowed per traveler.

Beverages in containers larger than 3 ounces that were bought before arriving at the airport's security checkpoint aren't allowed in carry-on luggage. Those smaller than 3 ounces are allowed in the clear, plastic bag. For a complete list of restrictions, go to www.tsa.gov.

Travel-friendly wear

If you're traveling to European countries like France, dressing nicely in airports is noticed and appreciated. Airline workers have even been known to compliment those wearing elegant outfits.

Though once-upon-a-time dressing for travel also was expected in the United States, many students today stick to wearing comfy sweats and thermals, such as frequent flyer Nathan Clay, an English and zoology senior.

"I usually wear a nice pair of comfy pants — linen, wool or sweatpants," he said. "But I get searched more when I wear sweatpants — when I'm dressed like a vagabond."

Whitney Knollenberg, a park, recreation and tourism resources sophomore, wears clothes that can be layered, such as zip-up hoodies, and shoes that can be easily taken off and put back on, such as Keds slip-ons.

Weathering dry air

When attempting to begin a vacation looking impossibly fresh, spending hours on a plane circulating dry air can be quite detrimental. Bringing along the following beauty products will help reverse the plane's drying effects.

Eating water-filled fruits and vegetables and drinking green tea or hot water can rejuvenate skin, said Mary Karrigan, an assistant coach of esthiology at Douglas J Aveda Institute.

"You're hydrating from the inside out," she explained. "Drinking warm water hydrates the system faster because the body is 98.6 degrees, and warm water is utilized faster by the body than cold water."

Spray-on toning mists also can refresh skin. Karrigan said to look for toners containing sodium hyaluronate, as it pulls moisture from the air and transfers it into the skin. Lotion and emollient creams, of course, also soften skin. Karrigan recommends tinted moisturizers containing SPF for extra coverage.

Combating jet lag

To feel refreshed for your anticipated arrival, sleep during the flight, said Stacy Peery, president of Student Breaks, a spring break tour company. She said sleeping can fool the body into thinking it's morning when the flight finally lands.

Clay deals with jet lag by staying up until it's nighttime in the new city, even if that means not going to bed for 36 hours.

"It's much easier to fall into the schedule of whatever country you're in," he said. "And walking around during the day in the city helps instead of hanging out in the apartment or hotel."

Knollenberg said staying hydrated also helps when coping with jet lag.

"I always try to have a water bottle and get lots of sleep the night before," she said. "Eating good and staying hydrated helps a lot."

Along with drinking water, no-preference freshman Sarah Greenberg recommends taking a multivitamin, which she said is beneficial, as well.

Beach-ready

So we're not going to claim you can lose 10 pounds in a week — the most one can lose in a week is two pounds, said exercise physiologist Tom Carroll, of Ingham Regional Medical Center — but there are a few tips worthy of mentioning to help you appear slimmer.

Before suiting up (or down, rather) avoid foods high in sodium, as this can cause fluid retention, Peggy Apostolos, a registered dietitian at Ingham Regional Medical Center, said in an e-mail. Sodium should be limited to 3,000 - 4,000 milligrams per day. Pizza, processed food, canned soup and canned vegetables, pickles, olives, lunch meat and fast food are typically high in sodium.

Caffeine and alcohol also can make you feel bloated, Apostolos said. For women, no more than one alcoholic drink per day is recommended, and for men, no more than two. A serving of wine is 5 ounces, and a serving of liquor is 1 ounce. For beer and caffeinated drinks, the recommendation is no more than two 12-ounce drinks per day.

Eating foods high in potassium — such as oranges, bananas, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, cantaloupe, broccoli and winter squash — can prevent fluid retention, she added.

Staying active while on spring break can help cancel out extra calories consumed, which are commonly from alcohol. Alcohol contains seven calories per gram, while carbs and protein only have four calories per gram, said Diane Fischer, a registered dietitian at Sparrow Health System.

Cardiovascular exercise is the most beneficial form of fitness while on spring break, Carroll said. The American Heart Association recommends at least 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week.

"Spring break activities include probably alcohol, so take some time before you start doing all that to go for an hour-long walk up and down the beach or play volleyball," he said. "Anything to get you active. The more the increase in heart rate, the more drastic the results are going to be."

But don't waste too much time fretting about weight gain while on vacation, Fischer said.

"It takes a good amount of time to gain weight, and it goes the other way too," she said. "A pound is equivalent to 3,500 calories. If you ate 1,000 calories extra a day, then you technically could gain two pounds in a week. So it works both ways, which I guess is good news."

Street smarts

Peery said carrying about 15 one-dollar bills makes tipping at airports easier, as it eliminates worrying about exchange rates. In Cancún, Mexico, where Peery organizes many trips, she recommends exchanging money at Casa de Cambio, as she said it gives the best exchange rates.

To carry money and identification information, use purses that cross over your body, Peery said, as you won't need your hands to keep track of valuables. In cities throughout Europe, such as in France and Spain, people have been known to be robbed by pickpockets — an experience enough to ruin what was supposed to be a perfectly planned, relaxing vacation.