Being a college student can be really exciting, but it’s also one of the times in life when you’re likely to be moving around a lot and trying to get established at the same time. That means you’ll probably have a lot of stuff you need sometimes, but not all the time. It can be a pain to manage all that extra stuff, but it doesn’t have to be.
Using self-storage can be a good way to make college a little more manageable, save time, and keep your stuff safe instead of crowding your parents’ garage between semesters.
Here’s what you need to know to store your stuff effectively in college.
Summer Storage: Eliminate Moving Stress When School Lets Out
A lot of college students love living on campus or in student housing near the school. One problem though, a lot of student housing is only really practical during the academic year. You might not even be allowed to stay in your dorm room through the summer if you aren’t taking classes.
So what should you do with all your student furniture and appliances?
You could move all that stuff back home with your parents, or store it with friends who have a house or apartment in town, but that can be inconvenient for everyone.
Self-storage gives you the security of knowing that your stuff is safe in a controlled area where people aren’t going to be moving around it or getting into it all the time. Plus, monthly storage rentals on a small unit can be incredibly affordable, and you won’t have to move your furniture and appliances as far as every semester.
Store Ahead Of Study Abroad
A lot of students find themselves pairing their stuff down ahead of a semester or year abroad. But that can make coming back more expensive since you’ll need to replace the things you sold, gave away, or threw out.
Instead of getting rid of your extra stuff before you study abroad, and then buying new when you come back, you can often save money by getting a storage unit.
Store What You Don’t Need While You’re In School
A lot of college students come into school after they’ve already had a year off or been established as adults and professionals outside of school. Being a student can change what you need though, and leave you with extra furniture, appliances, and other stuff that takes up space in your home and your life.
When you have more stuff than you need right now, but might need those things again later, a storage unit can be a good way to declutter without giving up your resources.
Avoid Roommate Clutter, Store Duplicate Items For Later
One of the truths of life in college is that you’ll probably have roommates, at least for a while. Having roommates makes everything a little more affordable and gives you a ready-made support system that understands what college life is like.
But having roommates also comes with having duplicate stuff. You might have 3 different TVs or 2 microwaves, or 4 coffee makers, and all that extra stuff takes up a lot of space in your home and leaves less room for living and studying.
Don’t give up your duplicate stuff and have to spend resources later to replace them. Self-storage is a good option, either as an individual or as a group, for you to get duplicate things out of your home without getting rid of them.
Tips For Getting The Right Storage Unit For College Students
Here are a few quick tips to help you choose the right storage unit for your stuff, and to help you plan for your time in college.
Size Isn’t Everything, Smaller Units Might Be Fine
Storage units can often hold more than you expect. Remember that you need to be able to get to things, but not to use them when they’re in a storage unit. Even a 5×5 square can hold a lot of stuff, especially if you don’t have any big furniture or use shelving to help get more space.
It’s a good idea to aim relatively small when you’re getting your storage unit. You can upgrade later if you need to, but you don’t want to get stuck paying for more space than your stuff needs.
Environmental Control Is Your Friend
Not every storage unit has environmental control, and not every storage user needs it. But, if you’re storing anything delicate like books, or furniture with cushions and fabric, environmental control can help keep your stuff in better condition in storage.
Anything that can be harmed by hot temperatures, humidity, big temperature swings, or lack of airflow can benefit from environmentally controlled storage.
If you aren’t sure what your options are, talk to self-storage places in your area to see what kinds of storage rooms they offer and whether you can get an environmentally controlled unit.
Don’t Be Afraid To Store Long-Term
A lot of people think that storage units are only really a good idea if you’re going to be storing things for a couple of weeks or a few months. But longer-term storage can be a good idea too. Putting your stuff in storage over the long term still protects your resources and can be a good way to have flexibility when you’re in college or while you’re getting established after graduation.
It’s alright to need storage for a few years while you get settled. Look for a storage unit that’s in good condition and consider getting an environmentally controlled unit to help protect your things for long-term storage.
Need Self Storage?
If you’re looking for a self-storage unit in Bend Oregon, we can help. Make a unit reservation today to make sure we’ve got your space set aside when you get here.
Not sure what size storage unit you need? We’ve got you covered. Take a look at our storage size estimator. That will help you figure out how much space you get in each kind of unit, and which size is better for different kinds of furniture and miscellaneous stuff.
Getting ready to move? We can also help with moving supplies and your other storage needs. Contact us today so we can help make moving or storing your items easier.