Pre Move

The best place to start when moving is to plan out how you will tackle the task. Since you’re most likely only moving from one room to another, the job is lighter but don’t put it off until the last minute. A good rule of thumb is to pack at least seven days in advance; that way, you can take your time and ensure you don’t forget anything. 

The question is, what do you take? A great way to visually organize your items is to use coloured post-it notes and categorize your things:

• Taking 
• Storage 
• Donating

That way, you can make quick work of sorting your items and have a better idea of what you’ll need for your new room. If this is your first time moving, don’t worry, we have you fully covered; check out our moving supply list to grab all of the things you’ll need to pack your stuff. 

Once you’re packed, and you have your things sorted, you can get to the main event – leaving the nest.

Why Storage?

Now I know what you’re thinking: “Why would I need to find storage?” and if you have the option to use your parent’s house as a storage solution, we support you, but not everyone has that kind of hook up. At some point, you’ll have too much stuff to take with you; it may seem unlikely, but it’s a common situation. Here are just a few situations storage comes in handy: 

• Co-op abroad – Offers for these once in a lifetime positions happen all the time. Are you going to give it up because you don’t know what you’ll do with your king-size bed? 
• Homeward Bound – If you thought getting your things to school was tough, wait until you have to bring it all back.
• Travelling – Broden your horizons without worrying about packing up your stuff and bringing it back to your folk’s place.  
• Combining households – Tale as old as time, two people meet but only need one living room set. 

Even if you’re reading this as a fresh-faced first year, you’ll need to figure out how to move your stuff out of the dorms eventually. 

Actual Move 

While loading a container may seem easy, there are some things to keep in mind while you load up your stuff:

• Make a sturdy base if you plan on stacking 
• cover surfaces with blankets to prevent scratching 
• Pack fragile objects in blankets to cushion them

Label everything clearly, you may only have a couple of boxes, but you want to know where everything is just in case. We would all love it if moving into a dorm was as easy as it sounds, but it’s best to anticipate a level of chaos. 

Things to keep in mind are:

• Traffic: There will be many people moving in around the same dates and lots of cars heading in the same, usually cramped, parking lot. 
• People: tons of freshmen, just like you, wandering around getting their bearings too.
• Stress: This is an emotional time for everyone; get ready to deal with at least one ‘moment’ of emotion.

Keep these in mind and remember anything can and usually does, happen, so be flexible with your plans and don’t sweat the small stuff. 

One of the best parts of using a mobile storage container is how flexible of a storage solution it is compared to other options. Thinning of delaying your move? No worries, with a portable storage container you can keep your stuff in your driveway for as long as you need. Once you’re ready we can transport the container to your dorm so you can unpack and once it’s emptied we’ll take the shipping container off your hands. 

When moving, a good tip is to pack a day one bag – especially if you’re moving long-distance and might want to sleep. The bag should include a change of clothes, a toothbrush and some cleaning products you can use to clean while you unpack. 

Dorm Living Organization And Storage Tips 

So now you’re unpacked, parents have shed tears, and you’re finally out in the world, what now? For your first order of adulting, you’ll organize your room, fun times. Most dorms are shared and if you’ve scored a solo room, consider yourself lucky because space is precious when your home is just a room. 

The best thing to do when you live in a smaller shared space is to make the most of the area available. Here are a few ways to make the most of your space:

• Use the verticle space: Using door hangers, shoe organizers and shelves, you can use space without taking up more floor room. 
• Invest in multi-use furniture: items like ottomans that double as storage are great for dorms. 
• Make use of space under the bed: a great way to make the most of your area is using baskets and sliding them under your bed. 

Something to keep in mind when your living space is just one room is to create ‘zones’ so you can keep things organized and set personal boundaries. 

Dedicate a corner of a room, a desk, heck even a direction to a specific task; doing this not only keeps things organized but helps maintain a work-life balance. A best practice is to dedicate a zone for:

• Eating
• Sleeping
• Relaxing
• Working/studying 

That way, when it’s time to focus, you’ll have a routine set up versus the alternative, which is eating, sleeping, studying and chilling in your all-purpose bed. It sounds nice, but it gets messy and unorganized really fast. 

Studying Abroad 

We know that during your time as a student you’ll be given the opportunity to study abroad through exchange programs, co-ops and other programs. As storage solution experts we want you to chase your dreams without worrying about your belongings at home.

With a portable storage container, you can get it dropped off at your address so you can pack it up, all you have to worry about is your lock. Once everything is packed, we’ll bring your locked storage container to our storage facility for safekeeping.  

You can go off without having to worry about your belongings for as long as you like with the peace of mind that only you have access to it. Once you come back home just let us know where to bring it and in no time you’ll be unpacked and back into the swing of things.

Communal Living Organization And Storage Tips 

Suppose you’re a sophomore or opting for a communal home instead of a dorm. In that case, you get the advantage of having more space while also being cursed with the opportunity to collect more things to pack at the end of the year. With a few tips, you can keep the peace in your new place and keep your items safe.

When you move into a communal house, the first thing you should do is (respectfully) claim your space. There are three spaces where you should try to create your own: the bathroom, the kitchen and the laundry room. All three of these involve boundaries that even families butt heads on. By labelling your things and your space the first day, you’re laying out the boundaries you and your housemates now share. 

Anything you keep in a communal area, you need to be okay with the possibility someone might use it; so if you store things in the basement, make sure you live with people you can trust. 

Let’s fast forward a bit; its the end of the year, and you’ve decided to rent a house with some pals. But it’s Currently April, and you don’t have a place until September; where are you going to keep your stuff? 

Moving Out

The first thing to sort out is who owns what; this doesn’t need to be a full inventory of personal belongings. Still, an overview of any big furniture you’ll need to store. If you’re in a position that no one will have room to keep all of the items, consider renting a storage space together for the summer. 

Once you find a storage solution that meets your needs, you need to decide how you’ll get your things there. With a portable storage container, you’ll have the added advantage of your storage space delivered to your door. Once you’ve appropriately packed your container we’ll move it to our secure storage location. Make sure all your things are labelled, and you take inventory of what’s inside your container in case plans change. 

This is an excellent alternative for students taking a term abroad or working a co-op to ensure your items are kept safe. Once you have the keys to your place, it’s as easy as getting your storage container delivered and unloading it. Check out our other blog all about unpacking your home after moving and fill out the form below to get your free quote for your rental storage container.