Yes, college life provides young people the ability to expand their minds, but oftentimes this venture in life creates a looming challenge called “lack of physical storage space.” There are only so many cubbyholes and under-the-bed spaces where a young person’s stuff can be stowed away in a dorm room. The typical University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) college student starts off the fall semester cramming every inch of space that can be found in a dorm room. As the school year progresses, finding a spot for extra books, clothes, and other items can be a hassle.
There Is A Quick Fix Available
Many college students, that attend a school away from home, will be residing quite a distance from their parents’ place. Therefore, dropping stuff off at mom and dad’s and being able to reach it whenever it is needed, will not be a viable option. The best option is to locate some inexpensive, conveniently available self storage that is near the college campus. Thankfully, business entrepreneurs have already predicted this need and more than likely there are several local choices.
Choices May Be Limited
However, depending upon that point in the school year, you may find yourself at a disadvantage since your classmates may have been more proactive than you. However, a little pre-semester planning should allow you to obtaina small storage space and prevent you from the hassle and cost of shipping your valuable items back home. The small investment could prove to be well worth it and allow you to avoid dealing with the hassle, not to mention the challenge of keeping your dorm room clean and tidy. This would be an especially good thing to accomplish, at least just prior to Parents Weekend :-).
Things You Need To Know Before Renting
If you want to be proactive and plan on obtaining a small inexpensive self storage unit near your campus before the school year begins, there are several questions to ask yourself including:
- What is security like at the facility? Do they use cameras? Is the property fenced and patrolled by security personnel?
- Will there be a registration or deposit fee?
- Are first and last month’s fees prorated since school never starts at the beginning of the month or completes at the end of the month?
- Does the facility provide a secure lock or must one be purchased?
- Is round-the-clock access to the storage unit available?
- What happens to stored items if you are late with a monthly payment or your automatic credit/debit card payment doesn’t go through?
- Are there any late payment fees charged?
- Are there any limitations on what can be stored at the facility?
- Are student discounts available?
Answers to these questions will help determine if the facility being examined fits both your needs and budget.
Now That You Have Obtained A Self Storage Unit, What Should You Put There?
Obtaining a self storage unit may be the wisest decision you make as first year student. You’ll probably acquire quite a bit of textbooks and student equipment that once used needs to be stored somewhere. Once you have obtained your own storage space, you’ll need to determine what you want to put there. Obvious no-no’s would be anything that is illegal, perishable or flammable. Depending upon the items that you will be storing, special features such as air conditioning or simple climate control might be chosen. This helps protect your valuable items from damage caused by either extreme humidity or temperature changes. It’s a good idea to store text books that have been used as well as seasonal clothing and specialty stuff like holiday items for Halloween and Christmas.
Follow Some Easy Tips For Storage Success
Don’t turn into that upperclassman that keeps that box in the back of the storage unit for four years not knowing what was placed in it during your freshman experience. Take the time and effort to follow a few simple tips that will make your stuff easy to find in your storage unit including:
- Always label each box
- Place your least likely to be needed stuff in the back of your storage unit
- Make sure to always stack the box with breakable stuff on the top
- Keep in mind to always leave space between the rows of boxes allowing you to get access to each one of them
- Check to see if you can add shelves to the storage unit for additional places to put your stuff
A little preparation will go a long way so you’re not stumbling over excess “stuff” peeking out from under your dorm room bed.
