For some reason, a college kid's possessions always seem to double over the course of the year. So here are three summer storage options for families with too much dorm stuff to drag home.
Some lucky students attend universities that offer storage space to students far from home–in the dormitory basements at the Puget Sound, for example, or the sorority attics at the University of the Pacific. Be sure to check with your R.A. before leaving campus.
But if you're like most students, you will probably need some kind of storage space to keep all your junk safe until next year. So rent a self-storage unit near campus and do the packing yourself. It’s certainly more work, but the price is significantly lower: $15-$22 in sign up fees and $19-$60 per month for a 5x5 foot locker that will accommodate at least half a dozen large boxes and a bike. Most of these companies take reservations up to 30 days ahead and offer month-to-month leases. Find a suitable one by Googling self-storage and the city you need, or get recommendations from your R.A.
A better option might be to hire a pick up and delivery service, such as College Boxes.com or Dorm 2 Dorm. CollegeBoxes started life as a student run company at Duke University. Now, it serves nearly four dozen universities. It ships you starter pack of five boxes and assorted supplies, then picks up the packed boxes, bicycles, TVs and whatever else you need stored on a designated day at the end of finals week. In the fall, it delivers everything to your dorm. It's convenient and fast, but pricey. In 2009, the rates were $30 for the packing supply kit, then $45 for storing and transporting each 4-cubic ft. box for the summer. Other rates apply for larger objects, mini-fridges, bicycles or televisions.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
School's out for the summer
The time has come to free ourselves from the shackles of academic oppression...well for the next two months anyway. Yes, summer is quickly approaching and it's time to pack up and bid farewell to your friends and professors. But, before you go, I have some vacation ideas for the college student with nothing to do and nowhere to go.
Why not extend some goodwill and start planning to volunteer around your neighborhood and community? There are hundreds of volunteer organizations who need people to get their butts off the couch and help with projects—here are some suggestions:
1. The American Hiking Society offers multiple volunteer opportunities to help clean up our nation’s gorgeous trails. Each trip is made up of a crew of between six and 15 volunteers and a leader. The Hiking Society has trips organized by level ruggedness—i.e. whether you’re sleeping tents or cabin—and level of difficulty. The average length is a week, but each volunteer can choose to participate for as long or as short a time period they wish.
2. The San Antonio food bank relies n volunteers to inspect, sort, shelve, and distribute donated food. When you donate your time to the San Antonio Food Bank, you become a partner in the fight against hunger. Whether you are available on weekdays, evenings, or weekends, you can ensure that a single mom can feed her child, that a child can enjoy a nutritious meal, or that a senior citizen is able to receive a box of nutritious groceries. Just one morning or afternoon can make a difference to a family or individual in need.
3. Volunteers are also a vital part of the San Antonio Children's Shelter, working to ensure children are safe, secure and loved. Volunteers can visit with the children any day of the week between 9am and 9pm. Volunteers help the staff with meal times and art therapy; play on the playground, read with the kids, rock and feed the babies and chaperone during off-site children's activities. Most importantly, volunteers provide a positive adult experience for the children.
These are just some of the volunteer opportunities available for college students in San Antonio. But whatever your summer plans are, I hope everyone has a safe summer and a happy new school year.
Why not extend some goodwill and start planning to volunteer around your neighborhood and community? There are hundreds of volunteer organizations who need people to get their butts off the couch and help with projects—here are some suggestions:
1. The American Hiking Society offers multiple volunteer opportunities to help clean up our nation’s gorgeous trails. Each trip is made up of a crew of between six and 15 volunteers and a leader. The Hiking Society has trips organized by level ruggedness—i.e. whether you’re sleeping tents or cabin—and level of difficulty. The average length is a week, but each volunteer can choose to participate for as long or as short a time period they wish.
2. The San Antonio food bank relies n volunteers to inspect, sort, shelve, and distribute donated food. When you donate your time to the San Antonio Food Bank, you become a partner in the fight against hunger. Whether you are available on weekdays, evenings, or weekends, you can ensure that a single mom can feed her child, that a child can enjoy a nutritious meal, or that a senior citizen is able to receive a box of nutritious groceries. Just one morning or afternoon can make a difference to a family or individual in need.
3. Volunteers are also a vital part of the San Antonio Children's Shelter, working to ensure children are safe, secure and loved. Volunteers can visit with the children any day of the week between 9am and 9pm. Volunteers help the staff with meal times and art therapy; play on the playground, read with the kids, rock and feed the babies and chaperone during off-site children's activities. Most importantly, volunteers provide a positive adult experience for the children.
These are just some of the volunteer opportunities available for college students in San Antonio. But whatever your summer plans are, I hope everyone has a safe summer and a happy new school year.
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