15 Self-storage Tips For College Students

Between homes a lot? Living in cramped quarters? Self-storage is a great way to stow your stuff during semester breaks, trips abroad or frequent relocations. It’s also a convenient solution to “where am I going to put this?” when you’re living in a dorm, fraternity or sorority, or sharing an apartment or house. Actually, you’d be surprised how well a storage unit suits your lifestyle…

Here are 15 tips for college students considering self-storage:

1. Proximity – Look for a facility that’s close to campus. Check to see if units that are a farther distance from the entrance or on a second or third floor are less expensive.

2. Climate control – This keeps the temperature and humidity in the unit similar to the temperature in your home. In many cases it’s an unnecessary expense for college students, unless you will be storing things that have a lot of value such as computers and electronics, photos, antiques or expensive clothes.

3. Easy access – Facilities that stay open later and have gated access with keypad entry are often more convenient for students.

4. Choose your size – Before deciding on how big a unit you’ll need, see if you can find other students to share a space. The storage facility manager may know of someone, or where to find “storagemates”. If your stuff fits in about 5-10 boxes, you’ll probably need a 5 x 5 or 5 x 10 unit. Use Extra Space’s size estimator.

5. Every square inch – Make good use of limited space by setting up floor-to-ceiling shelving in your self-storage unit. Shelves of any kind are okay as long as they are not attached to the walls, ceiling or floor.

6. Get in early – For a small, refundable deposit, you can often reserve a self-storage unit in advance - before the facilities close to campus fill up.

7. Sturdy stacking – Hunting for free boxes can be a big headache, especially if you don’t have a car to transport them. Storage facilities often sell quality boxes that are collapsed for easy transport and will hold up during frequent moves. When packing textbooks, keep boxes small and be sure to limit the number of books to 4-5 – otherwise they’ll be too heavy.

8. Lean and green – Recycled plastic bins are an option to boxes, and are more durable, stack well and can be used for years. If bins seal tightly, leave them open a crack to allow air to flow -- and be sure everything you pack is dry. Wrap your belongings and fill extra space in boxes with socks, towels, pillow cases, clothing and paper towels (which can be used to clean later). For boxes and packing materials, ask your storage facility manager if other customers may be discarding theirs before buying your own.

9. Know what you can and can’t store – Plants, perishable food and flammable or toxic materials cannot be stored. Remove batteries from electronics to avoid acid damage.

10. Track as you pack – Keeping a list of what you’ve packed in numbered boxes will help you unpack quickly and make sure everything makes it in the move. Take pictures of valuable items next to a newspaper showing the date.

11. Save on the moving truck – Some storage facilities allow you to use a truck for free, or rent it for a small fee. Some “big box” home and garden stores rent trucks by the hour.

12. Cart it around - Storage facilities frequently have push carts and dollies for your convenience.

13. Convenient parking - Save on parking permits, meters and tickets – park your car in an outside lot or drive-up unit within a storage facility. You can also store your car if you’re going to be travelling.

14. Cross country – If you’re trying to figure out the logistics of a move, keep in mind that if you provide your movers with keys, they can come to the unit, load your belongings, and deliver them without you needing to be there.

15. Insure your stuff –Self-storage facilities require proof that your belongings are insured. If you don’t have coverage through a renter’s or homeowner’s policy, most facilities offer low cost insurance that you can add to the lease. Read “Insuring Your Stored Items”.

Ask your storage facility manager if you have any questions about how you can use your storage unit – they’ve heard everything.

By: Jim A Stevens

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Jim Stevens works for Extra Space Storage a team of experts in the self storage industry. Collectively, they have been helping consumers and business people find and efficiently utilize offsite storage units as a company for more than 30 years. These experts know how to do things like store furniture and valuable possessions until they are needed as well as excess business inventory and give storage advice on surviving a move to a new house.