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6 Reasons College Students Need Storage Units

February 10, 2025

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A woman is standing next to a pile of cardboard boxes in a storage unit.

College is a fun and exciting time! It's a time when you gain new knowledge, get to know new people, and accumulate a lot of stuff. In fact, for some people, college is a time when they accumulate too much stuff. Trying to find a space for all your college things, whether that's a big comfy couch or a huge collection of books, can be a challenge.



Sometimes, the best way to stay organized is to get a storage unit. As a college student, you may encounter many reasons to get a storage unit. Having a place to store your stuff during your college years can make your time in college more enjoyable and relaxing. Here are six reasons why a storage unit can be a smart choice for college students.

1. Secure Your Belongings Over Summer and Winter Break

If you go to school far from home, you know what a pain it can be to pack up everything you own and take it back to your house. You may have to do this many times throughout your college education.



Having a storage unit makes going home for a long break easier and less stressful. When you rent a storage unit for the summer, you can put your furniture, winter clothing, college books, and more into an easy-to-reach location. This means no more worries about renting a truck to drag your belongings home!

2. Frees Up Space in Your Dorm or Apartment

College dorms and apartments can be tight spaces, especially if you have a lot of roommates. If you've accumulated more stuff than you have space for, you could use a storage unit to make your space more organized and manageable.



Maybe you had a bigger dorm last year, or you've recently taken on some extra roommates. Whatever the reason, if you've got more stuff than you have space to put it, having a storage unit can make your life easier overall.

3. Simplifies Your Post-Graduation Move

After graduation, life changes fast. You might have decided to stay around campus and find a job in your college town. Perhaps you've decided to crash on a friend's couch until you've moved into an off-campus apartment.



You may even have decided to return to school on another nearby campus to pursue a higher degree. Whatever the reason, if you're staying in the town where you went to school, having a storage unit could give you flexibility while finding your new home.

4. Keeps Your Items Safe While Studying Abroad

Studying abroad is the dream of many college students. Hopefully, you'll have the opportunity to study somewhere interesting and exotic! When you leave for your study abroad program, you'll probably leave your furniture and many other things behind.


A storage unit is a safe place to stash your stuff while away. The last thing you want to worry about while you're having a study abroad experience is whether your belongings at home are secure. With storage for college students, you won't have to worry or wonder.

A hallway filled with green lockers and boxes on a cart.

5. Ideal for Seasonal Storage Needs

That college dorm dresser sure is small! If you're used to having a lot more space to store your clothes, you might have difficulty fitting everything you own into your new dorm. A small 5x10 storage unit is the perfect place to stash seasonal clothes, a few pieces of furniture, and those college books that won't fit on your shelf.

6. Protects Your Valuables

Many college students live with roommates they don't even know that well. If you just met your roommates a few days before moving in together, you may not feel comfortable leaving your valuable items in your dorm or apartment. This gets even harder when your roommates bring friends and dates to your space - people you may not know.



Having storage for college students can give you peace of mind, knowing you've secured your valuable technology or jewelry.

Find Affordable Storage Units

for College Students at

Open City Self Storage

College is a time when having a storage unit can come in handy. Your storage unit can be useful at different times for different reasons. You might get a unit today because you're living in a small dorm room without enough storage space, and by next year, you may need a storage unit because you're participating in a study abroad program.


When you're looking for a storage unit, it's important to consider the following:


  • Safety and security. Find a storage facility where you can feel safe leaving and accessing your belongings. Safe storage facilities have video surveillance and gated access. This helps create a safe environment where you can keep your things and where you can be safe getting to your stuff when you need it.
  • Affordability. Are you on a tight budget? Most college students are! Find a storage unit that fits your budget. Smaller unit sizes tend to be more affordable. Alternatively, you can also split the cost of your storage unit with a friend and share your space.
  • Cleanliness. It's important to find a storage facility that will keep your belongings safe and clean. Look for a storage facility that looks clean and well-maintained.


At Open City Self Storage, we offer a range of storage unit sizes including 5x10 and 10x10 storage units. Our friendly, helpful staff are here to answer your questions. College students love our facility for its safety, security, and cleanliness. We have low-cost storage facilities to make storing your stuff easy!


Wondering what size storage unit to rent? We can help you explore the options. Come see our available units for yourself to decide which facilities are best for you. Ready to get started with your storage unit? Contact us today!

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