Photo by Julia M Cameron
Julia M Cameron from Pexels

Are you heading off to college in September? First of all, congratulations! Starting college is an incredible milestone. This new and exciting chapter in your life will bring learning, fun, and personal growth. But, before you drive off to your campus, have you considered how you want to set up your dorm room?

Do you want to ship your furniture to campus or find a place to store it nearby? It's not always easy to decide upfront what to do with your belongings. It may help to consider the following factors:

The Cost Perspective

Going to college is not exactly cheap. As the large number of new college students per year will tell you, every expense counts, whether tuition or textbooks. Setting up your dorm adds to the overall cost of going to college. American families need an average of $1,200 for back-to-college expenses alone. This covers everything students need, from sheets to electronics.

If you add the cost of shipping furniture, this sum can increase sharply. If you have a modest budget, storing your furniture may be more sensible. Some storage companies may allow you to keep your items in storage until you graduate for a once-off fee. Paying once will be a lot easier on your budget in the long run.

Remember, however, that storing furniture is usually cheaper when the plan is to move them again in a couple of months. If you want to store your items for a year or longer, you may have to pay monthly fees, which can quickly add up.

Space and Compatibility

Dorm rooms are typically cramped and usually house more than one student. Before deciding to ship any of your furniture, consider the size of your dorm room. If possible, find out how many items of furniture your dorm mate is bringing. If you have large pieces like a sofa, recliner, or computer desk, they may be far too bulky for the allocated space. Also, many dorms come furnished, which means your items may end up just being in the way.

On the other hand, if you have a large dorm room and the funds to move your furniture, there is no reason you shouldn't do it.

Sentimental Value

For example, if you have a favorite chair, desk, or bookcase you don't want to part with, then they are worth shipping. Moving out of your home and onto an unfamiliar campus can take an emotional toll. Having some of your things around you can help comfort you through the first few weeks.

However, keep the practical implications of shipping furniture in mind. This includes the duration of your college stay. If you plan on staying for a short period or transferring mid-way through your program, it is probably better to stick it out with the dorm-supplied furniture. After all, shipping furniture back and forth in a short time will add to your expenses.

However, if you plan on staying for four years or longer, it makes sense to personalize your space. When you have your own stuff around you, it's readily available when you need it. This reduces the wait time for the storage company to release it from storage and eliminates the hassle of going emergency shopping.

Also, consider your plans after graduation. Do you want to move to a new state or country? Then, having your stored furniture close to campus is a good idea. If you want to move back home first, it may be better to leave your items there.

Environmental Concerns

If sustainability is a priority for you, you should also consider the effect shipping has on the environment. Long-distance shipping contributes to your overall carbon footprint. This means if you decide you cannot do without your furniture, you should only ship it when you've made up your mind. If you ship your stuff back home after just a few weeks or months, you will continue to add to your footprint.

If you decide to store your furniture, it may reduce unnecessary fossil fuel consumption. Instead of buying new chairs and desks for your dorm room and discarding them when you leave, you can use the supplied furniture and revert to using your stored furniture after college. Storing also means protecting your furniture from wear and tear. College life can be rough on furniture. By storing yours, you keep them safe from spills and scratches.

Remember to ask upfront what it will cost to retrieve some or all of your furniture should you suddenly need to use them. It may prove to be costly to do so.

Alternative Solutions

There is a middle-ground solution too. Several companies offer affordable furniture rental services tailored to students. If you can't take your items with you, and the dorm furniture is not up to scratch, you can rent a few pieces to see you through. Renting furniture allows you to choose the pieces you like without committing to buying them.

If you want something more permanent, you can look into buying second-hand furniture for college use. If you don't want to take them to your new place after graduating, you can always sell or donate them. There are lots of charities and nonprofits to give these items to. Doing this also cuts down on waste.

When You've Decided on Shipping

If you have your heart set on shipping your own furniture to your dorm, Ship Smart can help you make the process as painless as possible. We will move your valued possessions and furniture long-distance or even to an international destination.

Ship Smart's team will collect your items from your designated location, carefully pack them, and ship them. We build long-term relationships with our customers, so we would love to help you move back home or to your new residence once you've graduated!

Ship Smart offers simple rates based on weight, and we don't have hidden fees. We use our 20 years of experience in moving to ensure every customer's experience is smooth and affordable.