What's more stressful than juggling college during exams? I'll tell you–juggling college, during exams, while planning your summer storage and move-out. It can break you.

At a time when your focus should be entirely on your studies, college students are forced to implement a significant change to their living situation, too, only to move right back in a few short months. Just the thought of it raises my stress level a few notches. But just like anything, if you plan, you can reduce or even avoid the stress of a summer move altogether. Want to know how? Here are a few of the ways to guarantee a stress-free summer move.

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Prepare :

If you've never moved out of and then back into college before, you need to prepare yourself for the mayhem of a summer move. Know what to expect by asking students who have gone through it before. You have two major events happening simultaneously, and you must prepare for both of them: exams and the big move. Know which exams you have on which days and schedule your study sessions accordingly. Figure out how much studying you will need before the exam. Schedule it into your calendar, so you aren't too preoccupied with your summer move to remember. Some practical study tips can help you prepare for your exams, so first figure out which works best for you and then make those happen. Likewise, you need to prepare for your summer move early on. If you wait until the last minute to make your summer move-out plan, you could be left without one, or worse, scrambling at a time when you should be studying. So do yourself a big favor and prepare for these significant events ahead of time.

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Get Organized :

When your dorm room is cluttered, so is your brain. According to one article on stress and organization, research tells us that "physical clutter creates several stimuli for your brain, making it hard to focus on the task at hand. Because of this, cleaning and organizing are linked to decreased feelings of anxiety." So before you feel the stress begin to creep in, especially during the weeks leading up to final exams, take some time out of your day to clean and organize your dorm or living space. You might be surprised to see what it can do for you to reduce the anxiety that you might be experiencing. If organizing your room is too big a task, start small and choose one area to organize: your desk, your sleeping area, or your closet. Seeing the clutter dissipate might motivate you to organize more, making the task more manageable.

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Make Lists :

I am a list girl. I don't know what it is, but there's something about checking off boxes or crossing things off a list that brings me true joy. When the end of the year approaches, you will find that your to-do list becomes more extensive and longer. To tackle your to-dos start by writing them all down. The big things, the small things, the "must-dos," the "nice-to-dos”-- get it all out and written on paper. You might prefer to make your list virtual using an app, but I like writing it all on paper. Your list of tasks will become much more doable once you've written them down. You can smile knowing you're one step closer to finishing all those tasks. Then, tackle each one and cross them off as you complete them. The visual will help you know what's left to be done and give you a sense of achievement as you get closer and closer to the end.

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Get Plenty of Sleep :

Never underestimate the power of a good night's sleep. Especially in college! I could go on with all the research that's out there proving how important it is to get enough sleep. I could tell you about how sleep is directly linked to achievement and productivity and reducing stress and anxiety. Or you could trust me and do your own self-care experiment. Give yourself eight consistent hours of sleep every night and see what a difference it makes. You will accomplish more and do everything effectively when your brain is well-rested.

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Drink Water, Eat Healthy, & Exercise :

I've decided to combine these three because they all share one common theme: taking care of yourself. It is easy to neglect your body in college. Still, it's difficult to keep healthy habits during those last few weeks of college before summer break. It's all too common for students to stay up late, drink caffeine and eat takeout, and study on a couch for hours and hours on end. This kind of lifestyle, even short-term, is not only harmful to your physical health but equally so to your mental health. Make a conscious effort to make self-care a priority. Drink plenty of water, make healthy eating choices, and take some time out to exercise. Listen to study recordings while taking a walk or working out at the gym if you must, so you aren't taking away from your studies. Be intentional and make the effort, and you will see a considerable reduction in your stress and anxiety.

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Diffuse Essential Oils :

Every college student should keep a handful of essential oils in their dorm room, a few of which can reduce anxiety and stress. Lavender, for example, is excellent for promoting a restful night of sleep. Diffuse a few drops at night for rest and keep it going during the day to reduce stress. Add a few drops of frankincense during the day to ease the stress and help focus while studying for exams. Citrus oils like lemon, orange, or grapefruit are natural mood enhancers, which in turn can reduce stress and anxiety. An inexpensive diffuser running all day with a few intentional essential oils can help during a stressful time of year.

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Say No :

If you're a born people-pleaser or just someone who likes to lend a helping hand now and then, this one may be hard but necessary. Exams week is a time when your focus should be on your studies. But at the same time, you have an inevitable move looming. Two significant events happening at the same time can stretch you thin. Chances are, all of your classmates are experiencing the same high-stress week jam-packed with to-dos. Favors and helping out, even on a small scale, might need to be skipped. You don't need to say yes every time someone asks for something. It is necessary to know your limits and say no during this busy week. Offering up your time could break you and take away from the things you will need to get done. Practice saying no and keep it simple. "No, I can't right now." "No, I'm not available at that time ." Don't feel the need to apologize or explain. Just take a breath, say no, and move on.

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Make Your Plan Early :

It doesn't matter how well you plan; if you don't give yourself enough time to execute your plan, it will all be for nothing. Take time off work to study early. Your job might not be understanding if you wait to request time off. Also, book your summer storage early. Start researching your options in January or February to make an informed decision about storage units, moving trucks, or, even better-- storage and moving companies. Reserved spots can fill up fast, adding one more thing to your to-do list during those last few weeks. At Storage Scholars, you can create an account as far in advance as you want and pay a $50 deposit to secure your spot. Then you don't have to worry about anything except packing up your complimentary boxes and leaving them out for your movers.

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Final Thoughts :

Stress and college go hand in hand. Be mindful of your choices to eliminate or at least reduce stress and anxiety when it matters most. Setting the stage can lead to more successful exam performance and ultimately a stress-free summer storage and move-out. If Storage Scholars can help you in any way and make your summer storage and move easier, give us a call today!

Call Storage Scholars at (336) 815-0100 to reserve your moving and storage spot. We’re here to make your summer storage and moving stress-free!

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^Sources:

^{https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/the-scientific-reason-why-cleaning-and-organizing-is-good-for-you/}

^{https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/why-you-should-make-a-good-nights-sleep-a-priority/}

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