Look, I’m just a guy. My name’s Tom. I’m sitting in my office at our storage facility on Oak Street, and I’m typing this myself because I’m tired of seeing students get this wrong.
I’m a real person. I spilled my coffee this morning and my keyboard is sticky. I can see a bird building a nest outside my window. That’s how real this is.
Let me tell you about my worst move-out day. Junior year. I thought I was smart – I’d just pile everything into my car throughout finals week. Bad idea. By the last day, I had a mountain of random junk in my dorm lobby. My stereo got left behind because I ran out of room. My plants died. My roommate accidentally took my favorite jacket. It was a disaster.
Here’s what actually works:
First, stop calling it “packing.” You’re not packing for a trip. You’re filtering your life. Right now, grab a black marker and three boxes. Don’t buy anything – just use whatever boxes you can find.
Write on the boxes:
- STAYING WITH ME.
- GETTING DONATED.
- TRASH.
Now, here’s the hard part: you have to be heartless. That shirt you haven’t worn since October? Donated. The textbook for that class you hated? Sold back to the bookstore. The half-finished notebooks? Recycle them. If you hesitate for more than three seconds about an item, it goes in the donate or trash box.
For the stuff that’s staying with you
Use garbage bags for soft things. Seriously. Those big black contractor bags are perfect for clothes and bedding. You can squeeze the air out, and they become way smaller than suitcases.
For everything else, small boxes are better than big ones. A big box full of books will break, and you’ll end up with a back injury. Ask at your local grocery store for their extra boxes – the produce boxes are usually sturdy.
Now, this is the most important part: LABEL EVERYTHING LIKE YOU’RE WRITING FOR A STRANGER. Don’t write “John’s stuff.” Write “JOHN’S WINTER CLOTHES – COATS, GLOVES, 2 SWEATERS” or “KITCHEN – 4 PLATES, 3 MUGS, COFFEE MAKER.” Be specific. When you’re moving back in during the August heat, you’ll thank me.
About your mini-fridge – you HAVE to clean it. Unplug it, wipe it out, and leave the door open with a towel stuck in it. If you don’t, you’ll come back to the worst smell you’ve ever experienced. I’ve seen it happen. Just clean it – it takes five minutes.
Now, where to put everything:
Your parents’ basement is probably damp and full of other people’s junk. Your friend’s garage might flood or have pests. The smart move is getting a small storage unit. A 5×5 unit is cheap and perfect for student stuff. Get one with climate control if you can – it keeps your things from getting musty in summer humidity.
The Bottom Line
I know I work at B&D Self Storage, but that’s why I’m telling you this. We made our units student-friendly. They’re small, affordable, and we do month-to-month leases because we know your plans might change. No complicated contracts. Just a clean, dry space for your things.
The whole process is simple: be ruthless about what you keep, pack it smart, label everything clearly, clean your fridge, and put it somewhere dry and secure.
Then go enjoy your summer. Your stuff will be waiting for you when you get back, safe and organized. No lost lamps, no dead plants, no missing jackets.
Just come see me at the Oak Street location if you need help. I’m here most days, probably drinking coffee and watching that bird build its nest.
0 Comments