It’s college moving day. Again. Your college kid's belongings have been packed away in college storage all summer.

It seems like you were just packing your kiddo up and taking her home for the summer and now here you are, moving her back in, just a few short months later.

The first year was filled with emotions of both sadness and pride, but you’ve ridden in this rodeo before and it’s already a little easier this year.

You’ve given up half your living room to store her belongings all summer and are quietly relieved to have the space back again.  You’ve unpacked, and repacked, checking to make sure everything made it back into the boxes: Clothes, shoes, winter coats, school supplies, everyday essentials, towels, bedding, a mini fridge, mirror, tiered drawers, a lamp, a desk chair and more…The list seems endless, and you worry that you’ve forgotten something.

You’ve taken the next few days off work, enlisted the help of family, packed the family car and you’re off!

Two hours later you’ve arrived back at the campus for a brand-new year.

Along with the rest of the student body.

Why does the entire campus need to arrive on the same day? The lot is packed. Cars with boxes, moms and dads, students, and their siblings…everyone seems to pick the same day to arrive and not a single parking spot is open. You park in the second lot and contemplate how on earth you will get everything across it.  

But you do. Thankfully you managed to swipe a dolly from an R.A. You make your first trip only breaking a small sweat but by your third trip, your clothes are damp and it's hot, especially in the elevator, which you've waited 40 minutes to ride. Maybe the stairs would have been better.

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You finally make it up to her dorm room. You've only broken a mirror and one wheel off her tiered cart. Not bad.

You notice that her roommate’s side is filled with boxes, shelves, a mirror (in one piece), and much of the same except that its neat and tidy in the corner. Yet there is no roommate in sight.  

You wonder how it got there if she’s not even here yet. Then you notice a name slapped on the side of her boxes: "Storage Scholars" and the pictures of some cool college kids on the side too.

Why didn’t you think of that!?

You should have hired a college storage and moving company.

If you have found yourself in even a small part of this situation with any of your college-aged kids (or just dread the idea of college move-in), hauling their belongings to AND from college each year, you need to consider hiring a college storage and moving company for next year! I promise that you will not regret it.

Here are the reasons why hiring a company for storage is an absolute lifesaver:

1. Time

You’ve heard it a million times. Your time is valuable. Storage companies designed for college students will save you tons of time. They'll save you from having to take any time off work in both the spring (move out) and fall (move-in) and again in the summertime if you plan to go back for summer school. They’ll save you a drive (or plane ride) to and from campus which is especially helpful if you live far. They’ll save you loads of time hauling boxes, furniture, and whatever else she brings to school (each year that list seems to grow). The bottom line is that moving back to college does not have to be a time-consuming feat.

Your time could be better spent planning your first visit or creating sweet little care packages to remind her of home. There are many ways to spend your time but moving should not be one.  

Even if you prefer to take the trip to see her off on her first day, take her out to dinner or have her show you around campus instead before you say your goodbyes. Save the hauling for the professionals.  

2. Money

While storage and moving companies aren’t necessarily cheap, doing it yourself can be much more costly when you add up what you’re spending. You may save money by hiring a company to do the hard stuff. If you do the moving and storage yourself here are some of the expenses you may incur on your own:

• Time off work

• U-Haul rental

• Gas

• Round-Trip airfare

• Hotel

• Boxes and storage supplies

• Up to four months of self-storage fees

• Replacing items broken in the move

Don't look at the cost of hiring out and automatically say no. The little costs associated with doing it yourself add up and are often much higher in the end than if you hired a reputable company to do the job for you. In addition to the money, you will surely save yourself a headache-- and that, my friends, is priceless.  

3. Convenience

Sure, you can haul a dorm’s worth of stuff back and forth every year, but why? Since most of her dorm items aren't needed over the summer, store them close to the school instead of having them take up space in your living room or basement. Storage units are private, safe, climate controlled and, above all, incredibly convenient. Let someone else take care of the hauling both ways. Let her pack it up and then forget about it until she returns in the fall.

4. Simplicity

Figuring out the logistics of moving into college isn’t easy. Between renting a U-Haul, arranging for a day off work, hauling heavy furniture, and other factors like crowded dorms and small elevators, it requires a ton of planning ahead--and then hoping everything goes smoothly. TWICE. Once at move out and again at move in.

And what if it rains? Or what if the elevator breaks (or gets backed up with frantic college parents, self-included)? There are so many variables to consider. Most companies that offer these services have already considered and planned for these variables, so you don’t have to.

Hiring a storage and moving company is so simple. You sign up, pack, and label your boxes (many companies even provide you with boxes and supplies for storage). Then they do everything else! Other than tell the company when and where you want your belongings, you aren't doing anything other than greeting your roommates on move-in day. It is that simple.  

Final Thoughts

There is so much to do on move-in day at college. The same is true for move-out day. It can be stressful when both times should be enjoyed and celebrated. Take this burden off your “to-do” list by delegating it to a company who knows what they are doing. Search for college storage and moving companies in your college town or ask your university or other students for referrals. Check out Google Reviews and then call for a quote. Once you find the right company to help, your wallet and your back will thank you.

Want to learn more about your specific summer storage needs or just need more information about college storage to make an informed decision? Visit our website at www.storagescholars.com or send us an email.

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