How to Solve One of the Biggest Dorm Headaches Students Face
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As a Floridian going to college in Vermont, I quickly realized that summer storage is a real challenge when I'm 1,500 miles away from home. Seriously, what do you do with all your dorm stuff when the school year wraps up — especially when you can't just toss it in your car for a quick drive home? Whether you're also hundreds of miles away from home or just don't have the space to store your dorm-life setup, figuring out where to put all your things is tough.
My school doesn't provide summer storage for dorm items, and let me tell you — hauling my dorm necessities through the airport wasn't on my list of fun summer activities. So if you're a student looking at a mountain of fairy lights, storage cubes, and way too many clothes and thinking, 'What am I supposed to do with all this?' I've got you!
Before you stress out too much, check out all of your options, from renting a storage unit to even selling some of your things (or both!).
Look into Storage Options on Campus
Not many schools advertise on-campus storage options, but it's always good to check with your RA or a residence life or housing contact. Even if they don't offer official summer storage options, they might have recommendations for local storage solutions that other students have found helpful in the past.
Rent a Storage Unit Nearby
If you're not sticking around for the summer and need to store your belongings, getting a small storage unit is probably your best option. Just a heads up — these units fill up really quickly, especially in college towns, and they might be a bit of a trek from campus. If you don't have a car, it can get tricky. You'll either need to hitch a ride from a friend or brace yourself for an awkward rideshare trip with your bedding and microwave packed in with you.
As you budget for your storage, plan on spending somewhere between $70 and $300 per month, according to Move.org storage unit data. A smaller unit close to campus will likely be the cheapest option. Prices can really jump around move-out time, so it's a good idea to book as early as you can.
Want the space but not the price tag? Consider sharing a unit with a friend or roommate. Oh, and seriously, label your boxes! Trust me, 'random stuff' isn't going to do you any favors when you're trying to unpack in the middle of move-in day next semester.
Credit: Westend61/Getty Images
Credit: Westend61/Getty Images
Use a Full-Service Storage Company
I really wish I had known about these types of services during my freshman year. (When I moved out, my parents drove from Florida to Vermont and loaded all my belongings in the car. Luckily I flew back home with my mom, and my dad drove all my things back home.) Companies like Storage Scholars, Dorm Room Movers, and University and Student Services (USS) come right to your dorm, pick up your stuff, store it in a secure spot over the summer, and drop it back off at your room in the fall. If you don't have a car or just don't want to lug boxes all over campus, it's perfect. Some companies also offer shipping if you need to send things home.
You'll probably find that your school will direct you to one of these types of companies when you ask about storage. My school, for example, recommends Storage Scholars. You will pay for the convenience, though. Here's what you can expect when you go with one of these full-service storage companies for dorms.
There's a $19.99 registration fee for Storage Scholars that comes with a packing kit: five Storage Scholar boxes, FedEx label pouches, zip ties, one roll of tape, and a permanent marker.
From there, you need to pay for a minimum of four months of storage, even if you need less than that, and the monthly fee is priced by item. Standard boxes cost $16 per month, and items like a mini fridge or bicycle cost $28 to store per month — so your final cost will depend on what you store.
Also, pay close attention to the dates offered for pickup and drop-off of your items, because if you need a different date, you could pay a $300 fee, according to the Storage Scholars website. (Other companies will have their own rules, but make sure to read the fine print.)
Similar to a storage unit, you could split this cost with a friend to make it more manageable. Either way, you're definitely paying for convenience — so if it fits your budget, why not make things easy on yourself?
Ask a Local Friend
This one is definitely the most budget-friendly: If you have a friend who lives nearby and has a garage, basement, or just some spare space in general, you might be able to leave a few boxes with them. Trust is key here, and it's important to be respectful of their space.
I recently offered to let a friend keep some of her stuff at my place between when she has to move out of the dorms and when her lease starts. It's only for a week or two, and because she lives nine hours away it would've been a total nightmare for her to drive everything home and back. If you decide to ask a friend to hold on to some things, make sure you both agree on when you'll come to pick them up — and maybe avoid bringing over a mountain of unmarked trash bags! Because you'll be saving some cash, it might be a nice gesture to get your friend a gift card or a small present to say 'thanks.'
Consider Selling or Donating What You Don't Need
If you've found that your desk lamp just isn't cutting it anymore, your rug bears the scars of too many iced coffee spills, or you're tired of dragging that extra set of plastic drawers around, it might be time to think about selling some of your stuff. Many campuses have Buy/Sell groups on Facebook or bulletin boards in dorms where you can easily post what you'd like to get rid of. There are also apps like Depop, Facebook Marketplace, or OfferUp if you want to reach a larger crowd.
This can also help you declutter while putting a little cash back in your pocket. Just a heads up: It's best to start this process early. Not many people are looking to buy a mattress topper the night before move-out! But don't be deterred, either; what seems like junk to you might just be the perfect addition to someone else's dorm. Whatever you don't sell, try to donate. My school often has collection spots at the end of the semester for clothes, furniture, and supplies to help local charities — an option I prefer over letting my stuff end up in a landfill.
Of course, you might not sell everything you're not taking home, but if you can cut down the load you need to store, then you can also bring down the cost of storage.
This post originally appeared on Dorm Therapy. See it there: The One Regret I Have About the Most Chaotic Day of Freshman Year (It Could've Been So Much Easier!)
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