The long-awaited summer break has finally arrived!
You’ve got your finals behind you, your last paper has been turned in, and you have gotten all the cash you possibly can from selling your textbooks.
However, you’ve got one major thing left on your list: move out of the dorms for the summer.
*Cue big sigh and eye roll.*
This task is almost as bad as your finals.
However, with the help of Closetbox and some tips from local Philadelphia colleges, clearing out your dorm for the summer doesn’t have to be all that bad.
To make things easy for you, we’ve put together a guide that will serve as your go-to for moving out of the dorms this summer, or anytime really.
Where to find summer storage in the Philadelphia area:
- Art Institute of Philadelphia Summer Storage
- Chestnut Hill College Summer Storage
- The Curtis Institute of Music Summer Storage
- Devry University Summer Storage
- Drexel University Summer Storage
- Gwynedd Mercy University Summer Storage
- Holy Family University Summer Storage
- La Salle University Summer Storage
- Moore College of Art and Design Summer Storage
- Peirce College Summer Storage
- Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Summer Storage
- Philadelphia University Summer Storage
- The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College Summer Storage
- Saint Joseph’s University Summer Storage
- Strayer University Summer Storage
- Temple University Summer Storage
- Thomas Jefferson University Summer Storage
- University of the Arts Summer Storage
- University of Pennsylvania Summer Storage
- University of the Sciences in Philadelphia Summer Storage
Keep reading to learn how to make your move stress-free and easy.
Your go-to guide for moving out of your Philly college dorm
- PACK
Yes, the first step in moving out of your college dorm this summer is packing. This is a great opportunity for you to get rid of the excess, and only keep for next year what you know you’ll need.
In a room as small as this, do you really need to have all those shoes? We’re thinking “no.”
Chances are good there are a lot of items you’ve collected over the year that you really don’t need. So minimize your stuff to start your summer off on a fresh foot.
- KNOW YOUR EXACT MOVE-OUT DEADLINES
Each school has their own specific move-out deadlines, so be sure that you check your school to ensure you’ve got the right date circled on your calendar.
Drexel University has its regular move-out dates, as well as early weekday move-out and early weekend move-out for those who want to start their summer break early.
The University of Pennsylvania has its standard move-out dates too, and also offers move-out extensions if you fit the criteria listed on their website.
- STORAGE
Once you’ve got everything packed up, it’s time to send it to storage. Closetbox is a lifesaver when it comes to this step.
Your parents will love that Closetbox takes the move-out help off of their shoulders, and leaves the work to the professionals.
With Closetbox, all you have to do once you’ve boxed up all the belongings you can live without for the summer is pick up your phone.
Simply dial our number, and we will come to your dorm, pick up all your boxes and take them to a safe and secure storage until where they will be watched 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Once you’ve had your fun in the sun and it’s time to go back to school, simply call Closetbox, and we will bring your items back to your dorm for you to unpack, and start your brand new school year.
Your parents are going to forever be indebted to you for introducing them to Closetbox — trust us.
- SHIPPING
You may find that there are some items you don’t want to store away for a few months, but rather want to bring back home with you for the summer.
UPenn offers an option for its students, called Penn PersonalShip.
This program allows students to “ship express mail packages via UPS and DHL at Penn’s discounted rates, for significant savings on shipping costs.”
Shipping via Penn PersonalShip is incredibly easy. Here’s how it works:
- Enter your credit or debit card info on the website
- Fill out the required information
- Print your shipping label and other needed documents
- Stick it to your package
This is another thing you parents will be thankful for — they no longer have to deal with paying crazy amounts of money to ship your things back and forth between home and school.
- CLEAN IT UP
Just when you thought packing was bad, now it’s time to clean your room.
However, this is not a step you want to skip out on — otherwise, you’ll find yourself with a surprise in the form of a hefty fee from your college’s housing department.
Since mom wasn’t around to make sure everything got dusted regularly, we are guessing your room isn’t so clean underneath all of your stuff.
But, let’s try to look at the positive here: the one good part about cleaning a college dorm is that it is small — you’ve got limited square footage to have to clean.
Here are some tips on how to make cleaning your dorm super easy:
- Start at the top. Start dusting from the top of your room — think high shelves, closet shelves, etc. Get the dust from the high spots, and then work your way down.
- Get under the bed. This is one of the most missed spots of a college room — under the bed. You’ll likely be surprised at how much has snuck underneath your sleeping spot over the past few months.
- Sweep/vacuum/mop. Whatever you do, do not disregard the flooring of your Pennsylvania dorm room. Once you’ve removed all of your belongings, the dirt and dust will really show its face, and can result in some serious fees if you don’t do your part to clean it up. Do more than just sweep — make sure you mop as well, or vacuum if you’ve got carpet.
- Clean out the fridge. Your RAs will not be too happy if you leave moldy food in your fridge, so make sure you toss everything inside, or pack it with you when you leave.
- REVIEW THE CHECKLIST
Not all schools provide a checklist to their students, but the University of Pennsylvania has created a great resource for their students, titled “Before You Go.”
This checklist “outlines resident responsibilities to be met before leaving campus,” and ensures you’ve left nothing out.
The list includes things such as:
- Make sure all University furniture found at Move-In is in your room
- Sweep the floor
- Visit your mail or package room staff to arrange summer holding if you will be traveling abroad over the summer
- Make one FINAL check of closets, drawers, cabinets, back of doors. Did you leave anything hanging on walls?
- Donate unwanted furniture, clean clothing, unused school supplies, books, bicycles
- And much more
Speaking of donating, UPenn has a great program called PennMOVES that allows students to donate gently used items you no longer want.
Throughout the entire month of May, donation spots will be set up across the UPenn campus for you to drop your unwanted things.
Be sure to check the PennMoves website for a list of items that are accepted, and ones that are not.
Feeling less stressed about moving out for the summer?
We hope so.
This guide simplifies moving out so that you spend less time moving out, and more time enjoying your summer break.
Because we all know you certainly deserve it.
