The sleeping pads need to rolled up rather tight to fit in their bags.
Open valve, roll up tight, kneeling on it presses more air out and (very important) close valve. If you stick the pad in its bag with an open valve it will self inflate and it'll be impossible to get it out of its bag in the evening.
If you slept outside and used a tarp under your pad or matress please fold it in a way that the dirty side is folded inside. Please1