Student Storage – Move Out Checklist | Box-n-Go

This student move-out checklist helps college students and parents prepare for dorm move-out and summer storage without the last-minute panic. Whether clearing out a dorm room or packing up an off-campus apartment, students who follow this checklist avoid the most common mistakes that cause damage, delays, and extra stress. Download the printable checklist (PDF) to check off items as you pack.

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Step 1    8 Weeks to Move-Out
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Now is the time to figure out storage – before the finals stress.

☐ Check your school’s move-out dates

☐ Research storage options

☐ Decide what to store vs. take home

☐ Talk with roommates about shared storage

☐ Ask parents if they will fly in to help

Step 2    4 Weeks to Move-Out
▼

Storage pickup slots fill fast during finals week. Booking early!

☐ Book your storage pickup

☐ Order packing supplies, if needed

☐ Declutter

☐ Identify building access rules for pickup day

Step 3    2 Weeks to Move-Out
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Begin packing items you won’t need before move-out.

☐ Pack off-season clothes, decorations, and extra bedding

☐ Pack books you are done using

☐ Use small boxes for heavy items (books, dishes)

☐ Pack boxes to the top

☐ Take photos of electronics and note serial numbers

☐ Create a simple inventory list of what you’re storing

Step 4    1 Week to Move-Out
▼

Move-out is close. This is when most packing must be done.

☐ Pack remaining non-essential items

☐ Keep ALL boxes under 50 pounds

☐ Seal all boxes completely with packing tape

☐ Write your name on ALL SIDES of every box

☐ Confirm pickup date and time

Step 5    2-3 Days to Move-Out
▼

Mini-fridges and microwaves need special preparation:

☐ Remove ALL food from mini-fridge

☐ Clean any spills, sticky residue, or odors

⚠️ Warning: An improperly prepared fridge WILL damage your other stored items. Don’t skip these steps.

Step 6    1 Day to Move-Out
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Last chance to get ready before the pickup

☐ Unplug the fridge and leave the door OPEN

☐ Place towels underneath to catch melting ice and water

☐ Once defrosted, wipe fridge interior completely dry

☐ Roll mattress toppers — do NOT fold (damages foam)

☐ Wrap toppers in garbage bags or plastic wrap

☐ Double-bag soft items (single bags tear easily)

☐ Remove bedding from mattress and pack separately

☐ Set aside items you need immediately after move-out (don’t pack these)

☐ Charge your phone — you’ll need it on pickup day

Step 7    Move-Out Day
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Be ready – pickup team is coming

☐ Have an authorized person present if you cannot attend

☐ Keep your phone ON

☐ Final sweep: under bed, closets, drawers, etc.

☐ Verify item count matches your inventory list

Step 8    After Pickup
▼

Don’t skip these steps or you may lose your deposit.

☐ Remove all trash and recycling from room

☐ Do a basic clean (sweep floor, wipe surfaces)

☐ Take photos of the empty room

☐ Return room key and any issued items

☐ Complete checkout with RA or housing office

🚫 Do NOT Store

✗ Food and perishables

✗ Liquids (shampoos, cleaners)

✗ Aerosols and batteries

✗ Live plants

✗ Valuables and documents

✗ Medications

💡 Pro Tips for Parents

✓ You don’t need to fly in

✓ Book storage early

✓ Use this checklist together

✓ Encourage safe packing

✓ Coordinate storage timing

⚡ Last-Minute Checklist

☐ Confirm pickup date/time

☐ Unplug mini-fridge

☐ Remove ALL food/liquids

☐ Boxes under 50 lbs

☐ Name on ALL sides

☐ Keep valuables with you

 

📥 Download Printable Checklist (PDF)

Why Students Choose Box-n-Go

Traditional self-storage requires renting a truck, loading everything yourself, driving to a facility, and repeating the process when you need your belongings back. For students juggling finals, moving logistics, and travel plans, that is a lot to manage. Students preparing for summer move-out checklist tasks or a study abroad move-out checklist face even more complexity with longer storage periods and uncertain return dates.

Box-n-Go picks up your belongings from your dorm or apartment, stores them in our secure facility, and delivers them to your next location when you are ready. No truck rental. No loading dock lines. No storage unit access hassles during finals week.

Whether you need summer storage, study abroad storage, or dorm storage between semesters, pickup and delivery makes the process simple. Students and parents across Southern California trust Box-n-Go for stress-free storage during college transitions. Check our student discount options and learn about our pickup and delivery service.

What Students and Parents Say

 

What Our Customers Think

Judy S., HI

Kelly N., CA

Janice H., CA

 

★★★★★

“Finals and move-out at the same time was overwhelming. Box-n-Go’s student storage service handled everything — I just packed my boxes and they took care of the rest.”

— USC Student

★★★★★

“I needed student storage for my dorm room during summer break. Box-n-Go’s pickup and delivery service made everything simple — they picked up all my boxes and stored them safely until fall move-in.”

— UCLA Student

★★★★★

“We didn’t need to fly in to help with move-out. Box-n-Go coordinated everything directly with our daughter, and we could track it all from home. Huge relief for out-of-state parents.”

— Parent of College Student

★★★★★

“Storage was one less thing to worry about during finals week. Box-n-Go took care of everything professionally, and our son could focus on exams instead of logistics.”

— Parent of College Student

Frequently Asked Student Storage Questions

How early should I book student storage?
Book at least 4 weeks before your move-out date. Pickup slots fill quickly during finals week, and early booking ensures you get your preferred date and time — often at better rates.

Can my roommate or RA be present for pickup if I cannot attend?
Yes. Authorize someone to act on your behalf and make sure they have access to your room and contact information for the pickup team.

What happens if I forget to defrost my mini-fridge?
A fridge that is not defrosted can leak water and develop mold during storage. If you forget, the pickup team may not be able to take it, or it may cause damage to your other belongings.

How do I get my belongings back after storage?
Schedule a delivery to your new dorm, apartment, or home. Box-n-Go delivers to addresses throughout Southern California and can ship items to other states if needed.

 

Choose What Works Best for You
Self
Load
A la Carte
Valet
Furniture Prep
You
You
Pack Boxes
You
You
Load Storage
You
We Do
Minimum term
1 mo
1 mo
Access Notice
1 Day
3 Day
Min. Return Notice
7 Days
5 Days
Some storage offerings may be limited by location

 

Get Started with Student Storage Today

 

Additional Service Options
image Local Moves
image Load Help
image Out-of-State Move

 

Ready to make your move-out stress-free? Box-n-Go provides student storage with pickup and delivery for colleges and universities throughout Southern California, including USC, UCLA, LMU, Pepperdine, Chapman University, UC Irvine, and many other campuses.

Call us at 877-269-6461 or find us on Google Maps.

 

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View our full list of student storage service areas.