Student Storage Guide: College Breaks Made Easy

Why Students Need Storage

Between semesters, during summer break, or while studying abroad, college students face a common problem: what to do with all your stuff?

Common student storage situations:

• Summer break (dorms close, but you're not ready to move everything home)
• Study abroad programs (semester or year away)
• Internships in other cities
• Transitioning between dorms and apartments
• Graduating and moving (need a few months between leases)

Storage units solve the problem of expensive shipping costs, limited home space, and the hassle of packing everything multiple times per year.

What Size Unit Do Students Need?

Most college students can fit everything in a 5x5 or 5x10 unit.

5' x 5' Unit (Small Closet)

Perfect for:

• Dorm room contents
• Minimalist students
• Just clothes and small items

Fits approximately:

• 10-15 boxes
• Twin bed frame (disassembled)
• Small dresser
• Desk chair
• Bedding and clothes
• Mini-fridge

5' x 10' Unit (Walk-in Closet)

Better for:

• Apartment dwellers
• Students with furniture
• Shared storage between roommates

Fits approximately:

• Full dorm room or small apartment
• Bed, dresser, desk
• 15-25 boxes
• Small appliances
• Sports equipment
• Seasonal items

Pro tip: Split a 5x10 with a roommate and save money!

Timing Your Storage Rental

Summer Break Storage

Most students rent May through August (4 months):

Timeline:

• Early April: Start planning and reserve your unit
• Finals week: Start packing non-essentials
• Move-out day: Load everything in one trip
• August: Retrieve items before fall semester

Study Abroad Storage

Depending on your program length:

Semester abroad: 4-5 months (January-May or August-December) Year abroad: 9-10 months (August-May) Summer programs: 2-3 months (June-August)

Winter Break Storage

Shorter-term needs:

• 4-6 weeks (mid-December through January)
• Great for international students who can't take everything home
• Store bulky winter items

Packing Tips for Students

What to Store

Definitely store:

• Furniture (bed, desk, dresser)
• Seasonal clothing
• Textbooks and school supplies
• Small appliances (mini-fridge, microwave)
• Sports equipment
• Decorations and posters
• Extra bedding and towels
• Electronics you won't need

Take home or keep with you:

• Laptop and phone
• Important documents (passport, ID)
• Medications
• Valuables and jewelry
• Items you'll need during break

Efficient Packing for Students

Use what you have:

• Pack clothes in suitcases and duffel bags
• Use laundry baskets for linens
• Storage bins double as moving containers
• Garbage bags for bedding and pillows (not long-term)

Save money on boxes:

• Ask local stores for free boxes
• Check campus bulletin boards
• Share packing materials with roommates
• Reuse boxes from care packages

Pack smart:

• Vacuum-seal bags for clothes and bedding
• Nest smaller items inside furniture
• Label everything clearly
• Take photos of how electronics are connected
• Keep an inventory list on your phone

Split Costs with Roommates

Sharing a 5x10 unit between 2-3 students dramatically cuts costs:

Example savings:

• 5x10 unit: ~$100/month
• Split between 2 students: $50/month each
• Split between 3 students: ~$33/month each

Make it work:

1. Choose roommates you trust
2. Create a shared inventory list
3. Divide the unit with a clear boundary
4. All names on the rental agreement
5. Set up group payment system
6. Agree on access schedule

Student Budget Tips

Save Money on Storage

Reserve early: Book your unit in April for summer storage Share with roommates: Cut costs in half or thirds Pack efficiently: Avoid needing a larger unit Use month-to-month: No long-term commitment Ask about student discounts: Some facilities offer them

What You'll Spend

Typical student storage budget (per semester):

• Unit rental (5x5): $60-80/month x 4 months = $240-320
• Lock: $15-25 (one-time)
• Packing supplies: $20-40 (if buying new)
• Total: $275-385 for summer storage

Compared to alternatives:

• Shipping home and back: $200-400+ each way
• Storing at home then re-shipping: $200-400
• Buying everything new next year: $1,000+

Storage is almost always the cheapest option!

Climate Control: Do Students Need It?

In Puerto Rico: Absolutely yes.

Our tropical climate means:

• High humidity year-round
• Risk of mold and mildew
• Electronics can be damaged by moisture
• Furniture and mattresses need protection

Items that NEED climate control:

• Electronics (TV, gaming systems, tablets)
• Computers and laptops if storing them
• Textbooks and important papers
• Musical instruments
• Photographs and memorabilia
• Upholstered furniture
• Mattresses

The small extra cost ($15-25/month) is worth protecting your belongings.

Moving Day Strategy

Before Move-Out Day

One week before:

• Reserve moving truck or van if needed
• Recruit friends to help (offer pizza!)
• Pack everything except essentials
• Confirm storage unit reservation
• Get lock and bring tools for furniture disassembly

Day before:

• Pack remaining items
• Defrost mini-fridge
• Clean your room/apartment
• Load car with what you're taking home

Move-Out Day Plan

Most efficient approach:

1. Load the vehicle: Pack everything into truck/van in one trip
2. Drop at storage: Drive to facility, unload into unit
3. Return home: Drive back, finish room checkout
4. Head home: Leave for summer

Pro tip: The earlier you start on move-out day, the less crowded the storage facility will be.

Organize Your Unit for Easy Access

Even though you won't access it often, organize strategically:

• Heavy furniture in the back
• Boxes stacked neatly with labels visible
• Frequently needed items near the front
• Create a small aisle just in case
• Stack boxes by weight (heavy on bottom)

Take a photo of your organized unit - helps you remember what's where!

Security and Insurance

Protect Your Stuff

Facility security features to look for:

• Individual unit locks (you control the key)
• Electronic gate access
• Security cameras
• Well-lit areas
• On-site management

Insurance options:

1. Parent's homeowner's insurance - Often covers student belongings
2. Renter's insurance - If you have an apartment policy
3. Facility insurance - Available for ~$10-15/month
4. School insurance - Some universities offer storage coverage

Always have some insurance - your belongings are worth more than you think!

Special Situations

International Students

Challenges:

• Can't easily take everything home
• May need storage for entire summer or longer
• Limited help with moving

Solutions:

• Find other international students to share costs
• Look for campus moving assistance programs
• Book storage early before units fill up
• Consider shipping valuables home, storing the rest

Study Abroad Programs

One semester abroad:

• Store everything for 4-5 months
• Keep paying apartment rent, or sublease and store items
• Leave emergency contact info with storage facility

Full year abroad:

• Cancel apartment lease
• Store all belongings for 9-10 months
• Update storage contact info before leaving country
• Consider auto-pay to avoid missed payments

Graduating Seniors

Transition period storage:

• Between graduation and new job/apartment
• Typically 2-4 months
• Store furniture until you know where you're moving
• Keep interview clothes and professional items accessible

Puerto Rico Student Considerations

University of Puerto Rico Students

Our facility is conveniently located for UPR students:

• Close to campus
• Easy access from main roads
• Flexible access hours for busy student schedules

Summer in Puerto Rico

Hurricane season (June-November) overlaps with summer storage:

• Choose indoor, elevated units
• Use climate-controlled storage
• Read our hurricane prep guide
• Waterproof important items

Shipping to/from Mainland

If you're from the mainland:

• Shipping costs to/from Puerto Rico are HIGH
• Storage almost always cheaper than shipping twice per year
• Store large items, ship only essentials home

Student Storage Checklist

Before You Leave Campus

• Reserve storage unit (do this in April!)
• Find roommate to split costs (optional)
• Gather packing supplies
• Start packing non-essentials
• Purchase a lock
• Set up payment method
• Plan move-out day logistics
• Recruit friends to help move

Move-Out Day

• Pack final items
• Disassemble furniture
• Load vehicle efficiently
• Drive to storage facility
• Unload and organize unit
• Lock unit securely
• Take photo of contents
• Complete dorm/apartment checkout

During Summer Break

• Keep storage confirmation email
• Save facility contact info
• Monitor payment auto-drafts
• Know your unit number and access code

Before Fall Semester

• Schedule move-in day
• Arrange transportation
• Recruit helpers
• Check dorm/apartment move-in date
• Plan retrieval schedule

FAQ for Student Storage

Q: Can I access my unit during summer? A: Yes! Our facility offers 24/7 access, so you can get items anytime.

Q: What if I need something mid-summer? A: Just come get it! That's why we recommend organizing with frequently needed items up front.

Q: Can my parents pay for my storage? A: Absolutely. They can set up auto-pay from their account.

Q: Do I need to sign a long-term contract? A: No, we offer month-to-month rentals. Pay only for the months you need.

Q: What if I want to extend my rental? A: Easy! Just contact us before your end date. No need to move everything out and back in.

Q: Is there a student discount? A: Contact us to ask about current promotions and student rates!

Ready to Store Your Stuff?

Take the next step:

1. Check availability and prices
2. Learn packing strategies
3. Contact us with student storage questions

Related Resources

• Storage 101 - First-time renter basics
• Packing Tips - Maximize your space
• Climate-Controlled Storage - Protect your belongings in PR climate
• Hurricane Preparedness - Essential for summer storage