The College Student’s Storage Survival Guide: Summer Break and Study Abroad Solutions

College brings frequent transitions: moving into a dorm, switching to an apartment, leaving campus for summer, or even traveling for a semester, and storage plan gives students and families a clear way to organize belongings before those dates arrive. 

College students can use self-storage facilities to hold their belongings from their dorm or apartment between class sessions, during summer break, or while studying abroad. A nearby Public Storage unit can be the solution to students’ summer storage conundrums and will keep their boxes, furniture, bikes, mini-fridges, and other everyday college items out of a family home, vehicle, or temporary living space until move-in day. And, even better, the students don’t have to move the items multiple times a year if they live elsewhere. 

Key Takeaways 

• Store dorm and apartment items near campus during summer break, housing gaps, internships, or study abroad programs. 
• Reserve storage around college campuses early, especially before spring move-out dates. 
• Choose a unit based on the number of boxes, furniture pieces, and roommates sharing the space. 
• Pack away clean, dry belongings in labeled containers. 
• Use vertical space, stack heavier boxes on the bottom, and leave an aisle for frequently needed items. 
• Public Storage rentals are flexible and easy to reserve online with no credit card required, making last minute storage needs easy. 

When Do College Students Need Storage? 

Students often rent storage during a gap between two housing arrangements, whether it’s semesters in a dorm or a shared home close to campus. Instead of hauling everything home or with them to their summer internship in another city after finals, pack away their belongings and keep them stored close to campus to pick up when the next lease or dorm contract begins.  

Storage fits several common college transitions: 

Storage gives students more flexibility during an already busy season of final exams, travel plans, and move-out deadlines.  

Choose the Right Storage Unit Size for Students 

To choose the right size storage unit, students should start by listing everything they plan to store; count boxes, measure large furniture, and decide whether they will share the unit with roommates. The Public Storage Size Guide offers a helpful starting point to find the storage unit size they need before they reserve. 

A 5′ x 5′ unit works well for students packing away a smaller dorm setup. A 5′ x 10′ unit offers more room for furniture and boxes from a one-room living space. Students sharing a larger apartment often need to split a larger unit like a 10′ x 10′ unit.  

Pack College Belongings Thoughtfully 

Since every cent matters when you’re a student, student renters should work to avoid renting more space than needed. Decluttering before move-out, donating or recycling items they no longer use, and packing efficiently will allow them to get the most from their unit. 

Pack Efficiently  

A thoughtful packing process makes move-in easier when the new semester begins. Start a week or two before final move-out day so they avoid last-minute packing. 

Use Sturdy, Labeled Containers 

Pack study books, kitchen supplies, clothing, bedding, and dorm room décor in sturdy boxes or clear bins, and label each container by room and contents, such as: 

• Study aids and books 
• Desk items 
• Kitchen supplies  
• Bedding  
• Winter clothing  
• Bathroom items  
• Apartment décor 

Clear labels save time when they unpack. Beyond labeling in advance, keeping a simple inventory on a phone or notebook so they know what they packed away is helpful.  

Stack with a Plan 

Place heavier boxes on the bottom and lighter boxes on top. Use shelving when it suits their setup, and fill furniture drawers with lightweight items to use available space. Leave a narrow aisle so they can reach boxes without unloading the entire unit.  

Clean and Dry Items First 

Clean and fully dry furniture, appliances, bins, and other household items before packing. Skip food, perishables, wet items, plants, cleaning products, fuel, propane, and other restricted materials.  

Organize a Shared Storage Unit With Roommates 

Sharing storage with roommates often simplifies a summer move, but the group needs a clear plan. Discuss the unit size, rental term, access needs, payment arrangements, and move-out timeline before reserving. 

Use these steps to keep the shared unit organized: 

• Assign each roommate a section of the unit. 
• Label every box with an owner’s initials and contents. 
• Place each roommate’s boxes together. 
• Keep shared items, such as furniture and kitchen supplies, in one designated area. 
• Agree on pickup dates before the next move-in period. 
• Keep an updated list of everyone’s stored items. 

A shared setup keeps belongings organized and prevents mix-ups if everyone returns to campus at different times. 

Store Belongings During Study Abroad 

Students preparing for study abroad often need to vacate their dorm or apartment before departure, but they will not be travelling with most of their belongings. They should pack away furniture, clothing, kitchen items, school supplies, and room décor that they will not be taking along with them.  

Start early by sorting belongings into three groups: 

• Take: Travel essentials and items required for the program. 
• Store: Everyday items they plan to use after returning. 
• Donate or recycle: Items that no longer fit their routine. 

Review their school’s housing dates and their travel itinerary before choosing a rental timeline. Public Storage offers month-to-month rentals, which supports storage needs that change with academic calendars and travel plans.  

Students should be careful to pack well in advance and move items into storage a couple days before they depart and keep any travel documents with them to avoid last minute panic. 

Reserve Storage Before Campus Move-Out Rush 

Students should reserve their storage unit ahead of peak move-out season to organize their plan before finals week since storage demand often rises near colleges when dorms close and apartment leases end. Since Public Storage’s online reservations can be done in minutes without a credit card, students should reserve their unit well in advance to ensure they get the unit they need. 

Public Storage operates more than 4,600 facilities across 42 states, serving more than two million customers, so there will likely be a facility close to campus for their storage needs. They can start looking for a storage unit by using the Public Storage location finder to search for storage near campus, home, or their next apartment. 

Check available unit sizes and features at their selected location before reserving. Availability differs by property. 

A storage plan turns college move-out into a more organized transition. Compare unit sizes through the Public Storage Size Guide, then find a location near their campus or next home. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What size storage unit should a college student rent? 

A 5′ x 5′ unit suits many student storage needs such as typical dorm room items, while a 5′ x 10′ unit offers additional room for furniture and boxes from a one-room apartment or rented room. Students sharing a larger apartment often choose a 10′ x 10′ unit that can fit the furniture and items from two bedrooms and is about the size of a one-car garage. Review the Public Storage Size Guide to find the storage unit size they will need for their dorm room storage.  

When should students reserve summer storage? 

Students should reserve storage before campus move-out season, ideally before final exams and major housing deadlines, because storage facilities close to campuses can be in high demand at these times. Early planning gives them time to find the perfect size storage unit for their dorm or student apartment items and then sort, declutter, pack, and coordinate with roommates. 

How should roommates share a storage unit? 

Choose a unit size together, divide the space by roommate, label every box, group shared items in one section, and agree on payment and pickup plans before move-out day. They should use the Public Storage Size Guide to find the storage unit size they will need for their dorm room storage. 

Can students rent a storage unit just for the summer or winter break? 

Yes, all Public Storage rentals are month-to-month, and customers can find their perfect storage unit and complete a rental online in minutes without a credit card.  

What should students avoid putting in a storage unit? 

Do not store food, perishables, wet items, plants, hazardous materials, weapons, ammunition, fuel, propane, cleaners, or sensitive documents. Find the full guide on our blog. What Can You Not Store in a Storage Unit?