A Guide to Student Self-Storage

Your uni years should be new and exciting, right? But, with the constant moves between halls, shared housing, and home for the holidays, it can be difficult to know what to do with your belongings. As a solution, many students consider self-storage, but aren’t always sure where to start. Read our guide to find out if you need storage, what to consider before renting boxes or space, and how to get it set up.

Do You Need Self-Storage?

It’s tempting to bring everything you own to uni, but your accommodation might be ‘cosily’ small – and, if you’re moving out permanently from the parental abode, you might also lose your old bedroom space. Or, perhaps you’re pursuing your degree overseas, and need somewhere to store items between term-time/before shipping them abroad? If you’re a student who falls into any of these categories, then we recommend investing in some self-storage. It’s the convenient and affordable answer to decluttering, and means you don’t have to sacrifice things you may need at a later date.

Student Storage Factors to Consider

Before going ahead with renting storage space, there are several things that students should think about carefully:

• Unit Access: At university, you may not have a car, or have the money to spend on public transport/taxis. When deciding on a facility, make sure you can get there easily. You’ll also want to consider at which hours you can access it, and on what basis you’re renting the space, e.g., weekly.
• Extra Costs: Think about any extras that may not be included in the service cost, such as deposits (to secure your space), insurance (to protect your belongings), and transport of items to/from the unit (which may vary based on your address).  

• Security Measures: These depend entirely on self-storage providers, but most offer a range of safety measures, including cameras and/or pin code access.
• Storage Rules: Make sure you’re aware of what you can and can’t do with your unit – for example, you might be able to use it for additional working space, but you probably won’t be allowed to run a side business from it.

If you’re particularly space-conscious, there are storage hacks you can put in place at home as well. Why not try using walls for towel and jacket hooks, wardrobe tops to keep vacuum packed bedding, and old jars for toiletries? Plus, avoid mess by keeping drawer space tidy and utilising label systems for grouping together relevant items. A clear space contributes to positive mental wellbeing, which is vital when it comes to studying.

Setting Up Storage Space

So, how do you go about picking a suitable provider? Pennies can be tight when you’re a student, but don’t just pick self-storage based on cost – think about the company’s service quality and reputation – and obviously their location options too.

You’ll likely come across a range storage space sizes as well – from a few boxes or lockers to full-size rooms and units – so make sure you sensibly determine how much you’ll need to store. That way, you can avoid running out of space, or on the flipside, overpaying for what you don’t need. As a general rule of thumb, go smaller if it’s only spare books or clothing, medium if it’s instruments and electronics, or larger if it’s a full bedroom contents or more (with bulkier items like furniture and decorations).

Then, once you’ve picked a location and unit size, you’ll need to get your belongings packed up. Make sure they’re placed carefully in secure cardboard boxes to avoid damage (some companies do provide these, as well as packing advice), and think about how you’re going to get them transported. Your provider may collect your items as part of the service, and some even take unboxed belongings, such as suitcases.

Ready to get your self-storage set up? Whether you need to store items over the holidays, or get them shipped overseas, our dedicated student service can help. Let us focus on keeping your belongings safe while you focus on your degree – contact Andrews Shipping today.