As finals season approaches and campus life slows down, most college students have one universal dilemma to confront: What do I do with all my stuff for summer break? Whether you’re returning home, traveling abroad, or reporting for summer work in another city, deciding what happens to your possessions can become overwhelming. Luckily, several summer storage solutions exist to help you move out of your dorm room, avoid excess rent, and keep your belongings safe and secure during the summer.
4 Benefits of Storage for Students During Summer Break
Renting a self-storage unit is probably not at the forefront of your mind while stressing out for finals or organizing beach trips. Still, summer storage solutions for students are a great decision that can simplify this summer and the coming fall semester. Here’s why:
1. Reduce Move-Back Hassle
It’s extremely tiring (and inefficient) to drag everything from your apartment or dorm home for a few months. Summer goes fast, and by the time the fall semester starts, you’ll feel like you spent most of your time packing and moving. This is even worse if you live far away from your college or university. Using a local storage service spares you from the troubles of filling your car (or paying hundreds of dollars for shipping).
2. Save Space at Home
Parents enjoy having you at home for summer, but not always your bean bag chair, mini-refrigerator, and three stacks of textbooks. Even if you don’t bring back a bunch of furniture, having unnecessary and out-of-season clothing clogging up your bedroom isn’t exactly a relaxing way to spend the season. Self-storage keeps these bulky items out of your childhood home and garage, allowing you to enjoy a slow-paced life for a while.
3. Protect Your Belongings
How you store items also matters, as your parents’ garage probably doesn’t offer the same conditions as professional storage facilities. Choosing the proper storage unit means you can gain peace of mind about your items while enjoying a well-deserved break. Look for facilities with climate control, security measures, and convenience to keep things safe throughout the summer break. This way, you won’t have to worry about your electronics overheating in an un-air-conditioned attic or your textbooks developing mold in a basement.
4. Simplify Your Fall Move-In
Many students who store their belongings find the biggest benefit is the ease of move-in day come fall. Since everything will already be nearby, all you need is a day or two to transport things to your new home, and you’re ready to go. Having your possessions in storage just off-campus makes moving into your new dorm, apartment, or home easier. Plus, it gives you time to try different setups without any excess clutter.
What to Store During Summer Break?
With that being said, what should you store during summer break? Should you put everything in a storage unit or take home a few items just in case? Think of it like packing for a trip. Not all your belongings have to accompany you; many will do better staying in one place. Just make sure that you properly clean and pack everything to keep it in good condition while you’re away. With that being said, consider some of the most common items college students pack away when renting a storage unit:
Furniture
Beds, dressers, futons, bookshelves, and even area rugs occupy so much space and are difficult to move. Instead of filling your car or renting a truck, stash these large items safely and let them wait for you in the fall. Ensure you take the proper precautions and prepare to store specific furniture types. For example, clean surfaces, remove bed linens and break down large items wherever possible to preserve space and prevent wear and tear.
Certain Electronics
During the school year, printers, TVs, and game consoles are frequently used for homework and entertainment, but maybe not as much at home. Plus, if you’re traveling to your parents, they probably already have these things. Store them carefully (in their original boxes, if you still have them) in a cool, dry spot—ideally, a climate-controlled storage unit. You should also remove batteries and cables to prevent corrosion or tangles.
Kitchenware
If you’ve got an inventory of dorm kitchen supplies—mini-refrigerators, microwaves, coffee machines, or even a rice cooker—save them for next semester. They’re heavy, fragile, and not typically in use at home. Make sure you use reliable storage solutions when packing appliances for the summer months, as poor conditions can lead to deterioration. You should also clean and dry everything before packing to avoid mold, odors, or insects.
Winter of Off-Season Clothes
Heavy coats, boots, scarves, gloves, and anything you won’t be wearing during summer are ideal prospects for storage. They occupy space in your suitcase or closet and are best stowed away. One of the best packing tips for off-season wear is to utilize vacuum-sealed bags or cedar blocks in durable bins, as these can keep clothes fresh and free of pests.
Academic Materials and Textbooks
Store textbooks, notebooks, lab materials, and binders in an assigned box unless you have to keep them for summer classes. This keeps everything well-organized and ready to use when classes pick back up. Just mark the boxes with the course titles or subjects for easy retrieval in the fall! If you don’t need the same textbooks again next year, check with your school about buy-back options.
Sporting Goods
Skis, snowboards, bikes, cleats, and gym equipment not only occupy space but can also sustain damage in extreme temperatures. Unless you’re planning to use them during the summer, store them to keep them in good condition for next season.
What NOT to Store During College Summer Break
Although self-storage is really convenient, not everything needs to be left behind. In fact, a few items may even be prohibited in a professional storage space. Here are some items you should pack and bring along for the break:
Valuables and Sentimental Items
Jewels, passports, birth certificates, heirlooms, and anything priceless should find their way back home with you. Even in safe deposit boxes, these items should remain nearby. While they may be prohibited from putting in storage options, it’s not worth the risk. Even facilities with high levels of security features are not 100% guaranteed.
Useful Electronics
Your laptops, tablets, cameras, and other personal devices you might use this summer can accompany you. They’re also at risk of heat, moisture, or theft, so carrying them with you is better. If you have a school-issued laptop, see if you can return it to campus until the fall semester. This can help you pack light, especially if you also have a personal computer.
Medicine & Personal Care Products
Prescription medications, vitamins, or anything you take daily should never be stored. Skincare and cosmetics that can deteriorate in heat should likewise never be stored. Plus, you’ll probably need both of these types of belongings during the summer, so pack them up and take them with you.
Food Items
Sealed foods and canned items can attract pests or become spoiled in storage. While it might be tempting to leave a few cans of fruit or bags of rice behind for when you return, it’s not really worth it. Dispose of what you can’t consume, donate what’s still unopened, and don’t save your ramen for next year.
House Plants or Living Goods
This shouldn’t have to be said, but your plants won’t make it through the summer in a storage unit. Even in climate-controlled areas, there’s no sun and no one to water them. Take them home or give them to a friend to keep for you.
If you want to use self-storage to get the most out of your summer, partner with The Lock Up Self Storage today. Our climate-controlled self-storage units will help keep your things just as you left them. We also offer self-storage units in varying sizes, so you never pay for more space than you need. Our flexible leasing options will keep you covered whether you need short-term or long-term storage. The Lock Up Self Storage facilities have top-of-the-line security features like perimeter alarms, gated access codes, and 24/7 CCTV. To learn more about our self-storage units at The Lock Up, call us today at 1-866-327-LOCK or stop by one of our locations for a tour.
