Renting a Storage Unit as a College Student

If you are a current college student, you might not see the immediate need in renting a storage unit. You may think storage units are just for people who are moving homes or for people who need a place to park their boat in the winter. However, students have just as much of a need for storage units! Here’s why:

As a student, you most likely live in a campus dorm or campus - owned apartment. If you are lucky, the school might let you homestead, aka leave your belongings in your space over the summer. However, most campuses force you to move your stuff out at the end of the term and move it all back in again when a new year starts.

At first, this might not seem like a huge deal. However, take a moment to consider just how much stuff you bring into your living space throughout the school year. Every time you go to Target, Walmart, Walgreens, or Publix, you are probably bringing more and more stuff into your dorm or apartment. Not to mention, you may even have your own furniture on campus! All this can add up to a large collection of stuff to move out at the end of the year.

So, where does all this stuff go? Chances are, you definitely do not have room at your family home to store all your college belongings. And, if you live out of state, you might have an even bigger problem; You can’t take your furniture, books, technology, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and bedding in an airplane!

This is why a storage unit is a perfect solution for college students. You can keep all of your stuff close to campus, safe under lock and key. And if you have any items you are concerned about getting hot, you can always opt for an air-conditioned unit. With a storage unit, all of your possessions will be safe for the summer, and you can enjoy your vacation free of stress.

If you are about to graduate college, storage units are a great way to safely store your stuff while you find a new job or a new house. Upon graduating, many people do not yet have a job or a new place to live. But you still have to move out of your college town or out of campus housing. What are you supposed to do with all of your belongings while you find your first job? A storage unit will keep all your stuff safe while you figure out your next steps. Then, when you are ready to move, all your things will be waiting for you- instead of getting heat damage in your parents’ garage.

With all of this in mind, here are some tips when it comes to renting a storage unit as a college student:

• Keep your vehicles safe. Do you have a bike, scooter, or even a car? A storage unit is a perfect way to keep these valuables secure.
• Share with your roomies! Sharing a storage unit with your roommates is an excellent way to cut down on costs and make storing your stuff more manageable.
• Book your storage unit early to save money! Toward the end of the year, demand can go up and you might not get your first choice if you don’t book in advance.
• Label, label, label! Try to organize your belongings before putting them in storage. Group similar items in boxes and use a marker to label them. This will make your life so much easier when it’s time to unpack!
• Keep your private stuff private. When considering what you want to store in your storage unit, think about the items you may not want Mom and Dad to see. For example, did you spend all of sophomore year collecting rare beer bottle caps? Did you maybe “borrow” an ornament from the campus Christmas tree? A storage unit is a great way to make sure those items stay private.
• Use a storage unit for your semester abroad! When you come back from your fabulous trip, all of your stuff will be safely waiting right where you left it.
• Don’t wait until the last minute to pack your things. Toward the end of the semester, you are likely to face lots of exams, campus events, and social gatherings. The last thing you want is to have your last exam at 8 am the next morning and still not be packed! Start your packing a couple of weeks in advance to ensure the process is stress-free.

Of course, the best way to keep your stuff safe is to use Family Moving & Storage. Are you planning a move after college? They can help with that too!