Hey, it’s that time of year, isn’t it? The library is a zoo, you’re living on caffeine, and your dorm room looks like a war zone. The last thing you want to think about is what to do with all your crap over the summer.
I remember my sophomore year. I waited until the absolute last minute. I ended up shoving everything into a wild assortment of trash bags and my dad’s car. Half my clothes smelled like mildew in August because I packed a damp towel. It was a disaster.
So, let me save you from that fate. Here’s the no-BS guide to getting your stuff sorted.
First, Get Brutal with Your Stuff
Seriously, open your closet right now. How many of those t-shirts have you actually worn? Be honest. That “I might need it” feeling is your enemy.
Do this: make three piles on your floor.
- Pile #1: The Non-Negotiables. Your laptop, your favorite jeans, the blanket from your girlfriend/boyfriend, and that one good pan. Stuff that would cost real money or real heartache to replace.
- Pile #2: The “See Ya!” Pile. Textbooks (sell them online, like, yesterday), clothes that don’t fit, that cheap poster from Walmart that’s half falling down. Sell what you can on those campus Facebook groups. Donate the rest. It feels good, I swear.
- Pile #3: The Trash. Old papers, broken crap, the questionable leftovers in your mini-fridge. Just bag it up and let it go. You won’t even remember what you threw out.
This step alone cuts your problem in half.
Packing: Don’t Be an Idiot Like I Was
Do not use trash bags for anything you care about. They rip. They offer zero protection. They are a trap.
Here’s what you do:
- Go to the grocery store and ask for their spare boxes: Small ones. Big boxes get way too heavy.
- Get a sharpie: Label every box like a crazy person. “KITCHEN – Mugs & Plates.” “WINTER CLOTHES – Sweaters.” “DESK JUNK.” Write it on all sides. You will love yourself for this in August.
- My favorite hack: When you take apart your bed frame or that IKEA bookshelf, put all the screws, bolts, and weird little bits into a Ziploc bag. Then, tape that bag directly to the piece of furniture it came from. No more frantic searching for that one tiny screw.
- For the love of all that is holy, CLEAN YOUR MINI-FRIDGE before you store it. Unplug it, wipe it out, and leave the door open to dry. You do not want to open a science experiment in three months.
The Million-Dollar Question: Where Does It All Go?
You’ve got two main choices, and I’m gonna be straight with you.
Choice A: Your Parents’ Garage
It seems like the easy, free option. But is it? There’s the long drive home. There’s your dad complaining about your boxes taking up space all summer. There’s the risk of it getting musty, or hot, or having a mouse family move into your sofa. Then you have to do the whole exhausting drive back with it all. It’s often more headache than it’s worth.
Choice B: Stash it in a storage unit near campus
This was my game-changer after the Great Trash Bag Fiasco. You get a small unit, maybe 5×5 or 5×10—it’s not expensive. You move your stuff in one afternoon. You lock the door. And you’re done.
You drive home with just a suitcase. Your parents are happy. You’re happy. And your stuff is sitting in a clean, locked, dry place that doesn’t smell like old lawnmower gas. No nagging, no cross-country moves, no stress.
The Bottom Line
That’s the whole reason we got into the storage business. We hated seeing students go through the same stressful garbage we did. Our small units are perfect for this exact situation, and we do month-to-month leases so you’re not stuck with a year-long contract. It’s just a simple, easy solution.
You’ve worked your butt off all semester. The last thing you should be doing is stressing about where to put your microwave. Pack smart, make a clean break, and go actually enjoy your summer.
If you want to check out a unit, just come by. We’re real people here, and we’ll get you sorted without any hassle.
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