Where Will They Put All Their Stuff?
How will you manage storage? It’s that time between semesters when they want to bring EVERYTHING home for a few weeks or even the summer. You’re wondering: (a) how will I get it all back here and (b) and where… in the heck… am I going to store it all? After two whole semesters at college, students tend to have a lot of belongings, both necessary and unnecessary. Whether you live in-state or out of state, moving items you only need at university to storage makes a world of a difference and can really relieve some extra stress from moving out.
There are several facilities located not far from campus. There are different kinds of storage and one must consider which is best for them. For instance, you can save money by choosing a unit a little further from campus that is not air-conditioned (they call air-conditioning climate-controlled because it sounds nicer, but the truth is these units get extremely hot without climate control).
Storage Facts
Storage further from campus and no air conditioning cuts the cost. This means carefully identifying those items that can safely remain in the summer heat unharmed for a few weeks by packing things in secured bags filled with personal items that can withstand the heat, such as shoes, sweaters, and linens, boxed dishes and other kitchen items, and so on. Of course, you then need to factor in transportation to the unit to fill it – something else to consider – and let your student know not to go alone and after dark. (Note: Most facility offices close at 5 or 6 pm, but the access to the units remains open. Be sure the facility you choose has working cameras.)
Sharing a storage unit, regardless of whether you choose by way of climate control or vicinity; is also a great idea. It cuts the cost in half and someone else always has the key (yes, keys get lost.) Begin the search and place a reservation for quite a few weeks (a month or two is not unreasonable) before the end of a semester. Then have students slowly weed things out and even pack a box or bag or two. Think of it as a great study break where you get to thoroughly clear your mind of biology, accounting, or literature.
When I moved my daughter in, I carefully flattened the boxes we brought, left packing tape, and giant garbage bags hidden under their beds for future use. My daughter was thrilled when I reminded her as it took the guesswork out of having to replace those items and add that to her packing responsibilities.
The following companies are recommended:
- Castle Mini Storage: Located at 12040 Parklawn Dr, Rockville, MD 20852
- CubeSmart Self Storage: Located at 11770 Baltimore Ave, Beltsville, MD 20705
- Extra Space Storage: Located at 8001 Newell St, Silver Spring, MD 20910
- Public Storage: Located 4318 Kenilworth Ave, Hyattsville, MD 20781
- Self Storage Plus: Located at 5050 Powder Mill Rd, Beltsville, MD 20705
- Students Storage at the UPS Store: Located at 4423 Lehigh Road, College Park, MD 20740
- U-Store Self Storage: Located at 4151 Kenilworth Ave, Bladensburg, MD 20710
Other Options
Some students just don’t have the time or inclination to do all this. We definitely understand finals week can be grueling. There are alternatives that may cost a little more but can be worth it too. The next best option is to hire a company that gives you packing supplies, picks up your boxes, and delivers them when your student gets back to campus. While this option may cost more, it can be worth the money for those students who do not have the time to get to the storage facility or for those students who do not have the means of getting to a facility along with all of their many belongings. Listed below are companies that provide this type of pick up and delivery storage.
- College Boxes: Offers storage, shipping of items, and pick-up & delivery.
- Dorm Room Movers: Offers packing services, packing supplies, in-room pickup & delivery, shipping of items, and storage.
- Dorm 2 Dorm: Offers packing supplies, in-room pickup & delivery.
- MakeSpace – Storage without the struggle! They pick up, haul, and store your stuff
- Storage Squad: Offers supplies, pickup & delivery.
- Student Storage at The UPS Store: Offers packing supplies, pickup & delivery, storage, and shipping of items.
- On-Demand Storage: Offers packing supplies, pickup & delivery.
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