Have you outgrown your Plainview, NY, home, or do you simply want a change? You’re not alone—there are lots of reasons to look for a new home, from downsizing to upsizing to providing a better location for you and your family. Plus, historically low interest rates provide quite the incentive.

While most people simply sell their old home and use the proceeds towards a down payment on the new one, that’s not the only way to make use of your old property. Here at Safeguard Self Storage on Old County Road, we’re experts at providing storage for movers and renters alike, and we’ve got the tips you need to figure out how to create passive income by buying a second home. 

Why You Should Consider Renting Your Plainview Property

With many benefits to renting your property, it’s no wonder why so many people are doing so. A few of the benefits include:

• Passive income generation—Earn money without working for it. A good deal!
• You can sell at an optimal time—By renting, you can choose to sell when it benefits you most.
• It provides a safety net—Should you need to move back or sell for fast cash, you can do so.

How to Buy a Second Home and Rent the First

There are few steps that can make the process of renting out your first rental property a little easier. After all, if it were straightforward and didn’t require planning, everyone would do it. 

Save, Save, Save

Normally, when you sell your home, you can use the proceeds towards a down payment for your new home. Depending on how much equity you have in your old home, the proceeds could account for the entire down payment on the new one.

Of course, if you’re renting your first home out, you won’t be able to use that money for a down payment. That makes it absolutely crucial to save as much as you can for your second home’s down payment.

Use Non-Conventional Loan Methods—Literally

A conventional home loan requires you to spend 20% of the price of the home as a down payment. Spend less, and you’ll be forced to add PMI, or private mortgage insurance, to the loan.

But did you know that the traditional 20% down isn’t your only option? Conventional loans actually just require a minimum down payment of 3%, and while you’ll have to pay PMI, that could easily lower the required down payment by tens of thousands of dollars. If you don’t have good enough credit or a low enough debt-to-income ratio to qualify, another option is an FHA loan, which has a minimum requirement of 3.5% and fewer income/credit requirements.

Get Self Storage to Help in Plainview, NY

When you’ve got your plan set for acquiring your second home and renting out your first, there’s logistics to deal with. One of the best ways to make your move easier and conquer your logistics problems is through the power of self storage. With a storage unit near you, it’s possible to store extra belongings, tools, and more for your rental property and your second home (especially if you downsized).

At Safeguard Self Storage in Plainview, NY, we have affordable storage units and convenient features and amenities to help you create the storage solution you need. Find your Plainview storage unit and get started with your passive income today.

Traditionally, the expectation of young men and women is to become independent of their parents after certain milestones, whether it’s graduating college, becoming financially self-sufficient, or reaching a certain age. As of July 2020, however, 52% of young Americans live with their parents or other family members. And now, in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic, even more young people have had to move home during or after college for safety.

Moving back into your parents’ home may not have been in your original plan, but  it does come with benefits—you can use money that would have gone to rent to pay student loans, create a stronger bond with your parents, and more! Discover how to keep a level head while living with your parents with tips from Safeguard Self Storage.

Communicate and Establish Boundaries

After being away from home for college a gap year, or just becoming an independent adult in general, your dynamic with your family will likely have changed. Both you and your parents have gotten older, which could mean that expectations for chores, running errands, and generally helping around the house have changed. That’s why it’s important to have a conversation to establish boundaries and set expectations. Agree on rules, chores, and other responsibilities you’ll have around the house.

Make Your Space Your Own

Whether your parents have left your room untouched since you moved away or converted it into an office or gym, it’s probably time for a little rearranging. Your room is your sanctuary, so spend time decorating it and making it feel as peaceful and comfortable as possible. Need a place to store your childhood keepsakes and other belongings? Give them a home away from home in a self storage unit.

Create a Plan and Set Goals

If living with your parents isn’t something you want to do long-term, it’s important to take active steps toward saving your money and finding a job to provide for yourself. Things you can do to move closer to finding your own space include:

• Applying for jobs
• Searching job sites for available positions
• Opening a savings account
• Freelancing to build up savings 

Keep Enjoying Your Hobbies

Just because you’re living with your parents doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Video call your friends, enjoy your hobbies, and stay active as often as you can. Staying cooped up in the house may lead to some less-than-sunny moods for both you and your family. Get out and have fun! In the event that your sports gear, or other equipment for your hobby take up space, you can find a 5x5 storage unit near you o keep them close by and out of the way. 

Store Your Belongings With Safeguard 

Now that you’re condensing your space to one room, you’ll probably have to do some decluttering. Your parents probably already have furniture, kitchen appliances, and other household items, so you’ll need a place to store them. 

Safeguard Self Storage has the right storage solution for you! From our flexible month-to-month rentals to our climate controlled units, we make your moving experience as easy as pie. Visit us and find out why Safeguard Self Storage is the simple choice today!

Thinking about sprucing up your living space? You’re not alone. As people spend more time at home—either through necessity or desire—there may come a point where you look at your surroundings and decide to make some changes. Whether your renovation dreams involve drastic shifts in color or a complete refresh of your decor or aesthetic, you should know that even the smallest of budgets can make a big impact.

Of course, your options may be fairly limited based on some factors; homeowners generally have more flexibility when it comes to home improvements than renters. If you’re looking to make sweeping changes to your home’s style without breaking your budget, these tips can help.

Three Cost-Effective Ways to Drastically Change a Living Space

Give your walls—or just one—a fresh coat of paint.

Hands down, the absolute biggest change you can make to a room is also one of the most affordable. Painting the walls (or ceiling) of a room can completely change the mood. Give your ceiling a fresh coat of white paint to really open up the space, or consider using a light color on the walls. Don’t want to completely break away from color? Choosing one focal wall as an accent wall and painting it a saturated color—like dark blue—can make a big visual impact.

Use window treatments, pillows, blankets, and art to add visual interest.

Not too keen on buying new furniture to reinvigorate your space? That’s okay, because you can still make adjustments with prints, fabrics, and textures. Hang new curtains that complement your choice of wall colors and add a couple of pillows to a sofa or chair. If you’re not in love with said sofa, you can always take measurements and purchase a slip cover to give it a facelift.

If the fresh coat of paint wasn’t enough for you, consider getting creative with art. Thanks to Etsy, there’s no shortage of accessible bespoke artwork that you can buy online and have shipped directly to you. Find something that reflects your taste and support small business at the same time!

Minimize furniture and get creative with storage.

Most people tend to look at adding furniture as a way to change the appearance of a room, but there’s a lot to be said for taking furniture away. Instead of buying bookcases, consider adding floating shelves to your living space. Given the convenience of smart TVs and streaming services, you can look at mounting your television on a wall and do away with the TV cabinet. Storage ottomans can provide both seating and a convenience space to stow items away when not in use.

Keep Items Out of the Way When Renovating with Safeguard Self Storage

If your renovation involves swapping out the furniture in your home for an aesthetic such as minimalism or cottagecore, you’ll need a convenient place to keep furniture and other belongings out of the way. At Safeguard Self Storage, we provide plenty of storage space. From small closet-sized spaces to whole-home storage units, our facilities offer clean, affordable storage with great amenities.

If you plan on becoming a home improvement weekend warrior or need extended storage space for your renovation, visit your nearest Safeguard facility today.

From fun student life events on campus to cheering for your team during a basketball game, there’s a lot to look forward to when you go to college. Moving to college is one of the most exciting milestones in many people’s lives, but it can also be overwhelming—especially if you go to a university in a big city, such as Temple University of Philadelphia, PA.

Whether your first year at Temple University begins this fall or you’ve already been enrolled for a few semesters, it’s important to familiarize yourself with your college town! Fortunately, you can educate yourself on all things Philadelphia and Temple University with Safeguard Self Storage.

The History of Temple University

In 1884, Russell Conwell, a well-known minister in Philadelphia, began tutoring one young working man at night. Soon, however, Conwell’s class of one student transformed into spending his evenings teaching multiple young working people determined to become educated.

By 1888, Conwell, having brought on several volunteer faculty members, established “The Temple College,” with the mission to “provide superior educational opportunities for academically talented and highly motivated students.” 

With each decade, the college continued to grow, eventually blossoming into a full-fledged university with 400+ academic programs and a student body of 40,000 (2019). Temple University also has six campuses, two of which are in Japan and Rome.

On-Campus Living

The cost of living when you attend Temple University will vary depending on your preferences. If you want to live on-campus, you’ll have your choice of the following undergraduate residential halls:

• Johnson and Hardwick Hall
• Jame S. White Hall
• 1940 Residence Hall
• 1300 Residence Hall
• Temple Towers
• Morgan Hall

Depending on the residence hall you choose to live in, room rates per semester vary from $4,318 two-bedroom dorm rooms to $6,590 one-bedroom apartments. Graduate housing is also available, with semester-based apartment rates ranging from $4,999 to $7,255. Other costs you’ll need to consider when choosing on-campus housing at Temple University include your meal plan, which ranges from $546 to $2,254.

Off-Campus Neighborhoods

Prefer to live off-campus? There are plenty of neighborhoods near Temple University that you could call home, including Olde Kensington, Yorktown, Norris Square, and more. Each neighborhood features diverse, historic communities that are perfect for college students. Olde Kensington, once composed of abandoned factories, is developing into creative, unique housing options for students and young professionals.

Cost of Living Off-Campus

The average price for a one-bedroom apartment near Temple University is around $1,525, which is a 14% decrease from 2020. It’s important to note, however, that living off-campus entails other expenses that an on-campus meal plan would have covered.

The overall cost of living in Philadelphia is slightly above the state and national averages at 101.2 In fact, the only living expense that is below average compared to Pennsylvania and the United States is housing, at 66.3.

Transportation

Transportation is an important topic for college students, especially when the length of your commute could determine how long you can sleep in or how much time you’ll spend trying to get to class on time. As a university based in the city, Temple University has plenty of transportation options for students. The Bike Temple program encourages the Temple University family to take advantage of the bike-friendly campus and provides a bike lane map and bike education courses.

During the colder months when riding a bike isn’t the most enjoyable way to get to class, you can use Temple’s shuttle program or Philadelphia’s public transit system to get to class on time without breaking a sweat.

Things to Do Around Philadelphia and Temple University

From on-campus activities and sporting events to exploring the city of Philadelphia, there’s always something for Temple University students to do when they’re not studying or in class.

Looking for some comfort food after a stressful exam? Grab a bowl of pho from Yummy Pho, one of Temple University’s staple restaurants, or sink into one of Saige Café’s cozy couches with a coffee after a long day. 

Prefer to re-energize yourself after a long day of classes? Take a stroll around Beury Beach or get involved with Campus Recreation to sweat out all the stress.

Other activities and experiences you can enjoy on and off Temple University’s campus include:

• Adventure Aquarium
• Barnes Foundation
• Movies at The Reel
• Memorable Moments
• Philly Connections
• Philadelphia Doll Museum
• Philadelphia Museum of Art
• The Met Philadelphia
• The Franklin Institute
• The Fillmore Philadelphia
• Penn Treaty Park

Solve Your Student Storage Needs with Safeguard

From its scenic environment to its historic, diverse housing options, Temple University and its surrounding neighborhoods are perfect for undergrads, graduate students, faculty, and alumni. The only issue with living in the bustling community of Philadelphia? Finding the space you need to comfortably store your belongings. 

Fortunately, Safeguard Self Storage has you covered; just down the road from Temple University, you’ll find our North Broad Street storage facility.

Whether you need a spot near campus for your college belongings during the summer or a long-term home for all your things during a move to a new apartment, you can rely on our friendly team of storage professionals to find the storage solution that’s right for you. We offer air-conditioned and heated units, 7-day access to the facility, a convenient drive-in loading area, and more.

Talk to our team on North Broad Street in person or rent or reserve your unit online today!

Situated in Delaware County, Lansdowne is a historical borough that combines small-town charm with a tight-knit community. Located just 6 minutes southwest of the city center of Philadelphia, the borough of Lansdowne sits at just over 1 square mile—but don’t be fooled by its small size. This area features no shortage of things to do, see, and explore for people of all ages.

No matter if you’re planning a big move to Lansdowne, or you simply want to learn more about its rich history, this essential guide will help you get to know this countryside staple of Pennsylvania.

The History of Lansdowne

While Lansdowne was incorporated as a borough in 1893, its history dates all the way back to the 1600s. When Europeans first arrived in the 17th century, the Lenape (or Delaware Tribe) called the area home. In 1682, however, William Penn opened the area to European settlement, and it was named “Lansdowne” after the English estate of Lord Lansdowne. After settlement, Lansdowne became an agricultural community that persisted well into the 19th century.

From 1850 to 1881, the Philadelphia and West Chester Railroad laid two tracks through the Lansdowne area, which facilitated new economic possibilities and passenger travel. During this time period, Lansdowne experienced major growth. With Victorian homes being built, as well as businesses popping up around the train station, Lansdowne began its journey to the thriving borough it is today.

Lansdowne in the Modern Age

From its rich architectural heritage to its shops, restaurants, and schools, the Lansdowne we know today is a wonderful place to visit or call home. Below, you can find information on things like Lansdowne’s cost of living, school districts, neighborhoods, things to do, and more.

Cost of Living

Overall, Lansdowne’s cost of living—including groceries, health care, transportation, and utilities—sits just above the national average. However, housing costs sit below the national average, with the median home price around $164,400. Additionally, the average cost of rent in Lansdowne is slightly higher than the national average, as well as averages in the Philadelphia metro area.

School Districts

Lansdowne (including East Lansdowne, Yeadon, Aldan, Colwyn, and Darby) is located in the William Penn School District (WPSD). The WPSD has schools located in each municipality, but Lansdowne is home to the district’s administration building, the district’s only High School (William Penn High School), and Ardmore Elementary, one of the WPSD’s three elementary schools.

Neighborhoods

In general, Lansdowne is broken up into three main neighborhoods or areas, including:

• Borough Center
• North Lansdowne Avenue/East Greenwood Avenue
• West Baltimore Avenue/Mansfield Road

While each neighborhood falls under the same 19050 zip code, all three feature unique characteristics and quirks.

The borough center, for example, is a more urban area due to its population density. It’s also primarily made up of studio to two-bedroom apartments, three- to four-bedroom townhomes, and a wide selection of apartments and high rises. This area also features a wide range of ethnic diversity, an abundance of row houses, and an eclectic community.

North Lansdowne Avenue to East Greenwood Avenue is still a densely populated area, but it is primarily made up of small- to medium-sized apartments and single-family homes. Within proximity to Delaware County Community College and the University of Pennsylvania, many college students call this area home—especially due to its walkability and public transportation options.

West Baltimore Avenue to Mansfield Road is also a densely populated area with small- to medium-sized apartments and single-family homes, with most of the residential real estate being owner-occupied. Many of the homes in this area are historic, as they were built in the early 1900s.

What to Do in Lansdowne

While Lansdowne may be small, it features plenty of activities and experiences the whole family can enjoy. Residents and visitors alike can walk along Lansdowne’s wide tree-lined streets, viewing the area’s historic Victorian homes while heading into the center of the borough.

On Lansdowne Avenue, you can find a plethora of shops, restaurants, and local businesses that make the area unique. On Baltimore Avenue—which is a major east-to-west roadway connecting Lansdowne and Delaware County neighborhoods—is also a popular shopping destination that moves through the heart of the borough.

Lansdowne is also home to the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra, which is a large ensemble that has held performances in the area for over 50 years. Additionally, Lansdowne is host to many cultural events, including:

• Lansdowne Folk Club
• Lansdowne Farmers Market
• "Rhyme, Rhythm, and Reason" poetry readings
• Film Screenings at Vinyl Revival
• Arts on the Avenue Festival
• Arts & Craft Show
• A Bit of the Arts Holiday Art Sale
• Lansdowne 5k Harvest Run
• 20*20 House Art Gallery
• Historic Lansdowne Theater
• Ballroom Dancing events
• Yoga studios

Lansdowne is also proud to offer eleven recreational parks, with one that includes a 400-year-old Sycamore Tree germinated in the 1600s.

Make Your Move to Lansdowne Easy with Safeguard

Lansdowne, PA, is a borough filled with rich history, beautiful scenery, and great housing options for individuals and families alike. If you’re planning a move to Lansdowne, or you’re a longtime resident or business owner in need of breathing room, Safeguard Self Storage is here to help.

Located on South Union Avenue, our new storage facility provides access to all the space-saving solutions you need under one roof. With heated and air-conditioned units, drive-in loading areas, and month-to-month leasing options, you can rent a unit that fits into your lifestyle with ease.

Reach out to our friendly storage experts in Lansdowne today, or feel free to reserve your space online at your convenience!

It's only natural that National Moving Month graces our calendars in May. Beautiful weather sets the stage for changing addresses here in Mountainside, NJ, and self storage facilities make every type of relocation so much easier. Whether you're moving here from out of town or just moving around the block, these tips help you stay on track.

Get Ready for the Move

A little prep goes a long way before you make your move. Take care of as much as possible in advance, and free up valuable time for the big day.

• Whether you're renting a truck or hiring a company, make reservations as early as possible.
• Take care of leasing self storage near your new home now for an easier move later.
• Make arrangements with local utilities so that you'll be powered up at the new house.
• Visit the U.S. Post Office's website, and use their handy online form to change your address.

Get Set and Stay Organized

When moving day arrives, be ready to go and ready to transition back and forth. Whether you're working with a moving company or braving the DIY route, the trick is to stay organized.

• Label boxes with different colors coordinated by room for quick unpacking.
• If you've hired a mover, make sure the driver knows the location of your self-storage unit.
• If you're moving yourself, always load heaviest first and lightest last.
• Fold bedding and drapes into suitcases for handy moving and easy unpacking.

Go With Room to Spare

A new house or apartment doesn't become a home overnight. It takes time to dig into your new digs, so don't try to do everything at once. Give yourself and your stuff room to settle in.

• Consider leasing two adjacent storage units: one for large items and one for personal belongings.
• Add shelving to your storage to keep the space organized.
• Let new closets at home stay uncluttered by leaving seasonal things in your unit.
• After the move, keep your outdoor gear in storage for fishing and boating adventures on Echo Lake.

We're Always Here to Help

It's exciting to move into a new home, but it can be a challenge too. We hope our tips keep your relocation smooth sailing as you settle here in Union County's most beautiful borough. Utilize our modern Safeguard self storage facilities. When you're ready to make the move, we're always here to help.

Diversity lives and breathes in Chicago, IL; so, what better way to celebrate the city than to attend one of the many Neighborhoods of the World performances this month? Throughout March, Navy Pier hosts an annual tribute to a few of the international cultures found in Chicago. With traditional dance performances, live music, and cultural cuisine, various ethnic communities will be showcased each week. Located less than 10 miles from Hermosa, you're only a hop, skip, and jump away from one of the most elaborate festivals in the city. 

Don't Miss Neighborhoods of the World in Chicago, IL

Neighborhoods of the World plays out over seven weeks and started last month by celebrating the Chinese New Year, on February 12. Every Sunday, it celebrates another culture until March 26.

• On Sunday, March 5, Italy will take the spotlight. With delicious Italian cuisine, various crafts, and culturally significant music, you’ll get a true Italian experience.
• On March 12, Celebrate Lithuania and start the festivities over again, for a new culture. Did you know that Lithuanian is one of the oldest living languages? You can find out facts like this and enjoy many different cultural festivities by attending the event.
• On March 19, Neighborhoods of the World celebrates Mexico, so you can expect lots of Hispanic music and food to go around.
• The festival comes to an end on Sunday, March 26, with the final showcase: Celebrate Greece.

 Whether it's celebrating Lithuania or Greece, all events start at 12 p.m. and cost nothing to attend. This festival will allow you to be immersed in these cultures, without ever leaving the state. 

Discover Your Heritage with Safeguard Self Storage

The Neighborhoods of the World event sparks many people to explore their own family heritage and history. Safeguard Self Storage invites you to break out those old photo albums and to rediscover your family lineage. To store those old photos, documents, and relics, Safeguard Self Storage has climate-controlled storage units that protect sensitive items. From your great-grandmother's antiques to old, black and white portraits, our storage units keep those priceless items separate from the clutter in your attic, basement, or closets.

True anglers don't hang up their fishing poles when winter arrives in Massapequa, NY. In fact, they get going in full swing for some cold-weather trout and bass fishing. Every fall, the Freshwater Fisheries Division in Nassau County fills the waterways with 3,500 trout ranging from brown and brook to the rainbow variety. If you're into fishing and don't mind the cold, now's the time to stuff your tackle box with supplies and to head out for a day on the water. You can make your next fishing trip so easy to prepare for by placing all those necessary supplies in a nearby, convenient and accessible storage unit at Safeguard Self Storage.

Winter Fishing in Massapequa Cove

Massapequa Cove isn't just a place to go trout fishing. You’ll also find carp, largemouth bass and deep-hole fish such as stripers. The brackish water has several holes that reach 40 feet below the surface, where porgies, kingfish and blowfish swim. If you prefer to stay near the shoreline, you’ll still be able to reach flounder in depths ranging from six to 15 feet.

What Bait Should You Use?

If you're looking for trout, it's best to go with the traditional garden worm. You might get lucky using lures on newly released hatchery trout, but they're smart and will quickly figure out which food to eat and to avoid. Though you can find some trout in Massapequa Cove, you'll reel in your three-fish bag limit in the larger Massapequa Reservoir.

Flounder is easily attracted with clams on a hood and a live porgy will help you reel in a largemouth bass.

Best Places to Fish Around the Cove

For early morning fishers, the cove has countless docks that offer a great place to toss out a hook. You can usually find a nice spot along a dock to reel in quite a few fish. If you're familiar with the area, anywhere between Jones Creek and Fort Neck Point offers great fishing spots. Nassau County has numerous ponds and other waterways teeming with fish for anglers throughout the year.

Store Your Gear at Safeguard Self Storage

Fishing gear can take up quite a bit of space, especially for serious anglers. Create a fishing locker with one of the convenient storage units at Safeguard Self Storage in Massapequa, NY. Our storage units have enough room for everything from fishing poles to tackle boxes to keep you on the water when space at home is tight.

Yankees fans in Wakefield and throughout Bronx, NY are preparing for the coming season. Spring training is right around the corner as the Yankees prepare for their first game against the Philadelphia Phillies on February 24. If you're a die-hard fan, Safeguard Self Storage has a few tips for celebrating the Yankees' return to the grass this spring.

Celebrate Spring Training With These 5 Tips

1. Subscribe to a Major League Baseball package.

Can't make it to the Yankees spring games in Tampa? No worries. An MLB cable package will keep you up to date on all of the action. Alternatively, you can subscribe directly to MLB. com and watch spring games on your computer, phone, tablet, or any other compatible device.

2. Throw a spring training party.

Watching the spring games is more fun with some friends around. Plan a spring training party for when the Yankees meet the Phillies. You can supply a few snacks like bags of peanuts, pretzels with dip, hot dogs and other treats to satisfy everyone's hunger for food and a winning season in 2017.

3. Coach a Little League baseball team.

Coaching makes you part of a team and gives you a chance to teach kids how to play the game with sportsmanship. When the Yankees aren't playing on TV, you can stay immersed in baseball by coaching a Little League team in your area. If you have kids, get them involved, and help them develop their skills and an appreciation for the game.

4. Get out and toss the ball around.

If it's been a while since you visited a baseball diamond, why not take a trip back in time and re-live your childhood? Put on your glove, grab a bat and a few baseballs, and head to the nearest ballpark in Bronx, NY. You can play a pickup game with friends or share your love for America's pastime with your kids.

5. Convert a room into a sports den.

Need your own personal space for watching the games? Turn an unused room into a sports den. Make room for sports memorabilia, cushy chairs, and more with a self storage unit.  

Happy Spring Training, From Safeguard Self Storage

Celebrate Yankees spring training with Safeguard. If you need a place to store your gear, check out our local storage units. We have units available in all sizes for storing your baseball gear or any other belongings taking up space in your home.

It seems like winter break only began yesterday, and now students must, again, focus on classes. For those attending Temple or other surrounding colleges in Philadelphia, PA, now's the time to start the new semester off right. Safeguard Self Storage wants to help students get off on the right foot this school season.

10 Ways to Getting Better Grades

1. Get Up, and Show Up

It's hard to get up after sleeping in during the break. The best way to learn the material and score better grades is to get up and go to class. If you can sacrifice your nightlife a few days a week, waking up early will be much easier.

2. Take It Head On

College is difficult. If you slack off, your grades will fall much quicker. Take charge, and put forth the effort – it will be worth it.

3. Know Your Limits

Overloading is never a good idea. Only take the hours you need. Otherwise, you might take on too much and get overwhelmed.

4. Research Correctly

Thank goodness for the internet. Learn some Google search tips to find what you’re looking for more efficiently. And skip out on the Wikipedia reference.

5. Invest In a Planner

With so much going on at college, it's easy to forget prior commitments or specific details of events. Get a calendar, and keep track of everything.

6. Choose Your Priorities

It's fun to hang out with friends, but if you have an important test the next day, skip the party. Figure out which parties you can go to and which you’ll have to give a rain check for.

7. Take Notes

Whether you work best on paper or on your computer, take notes to retain information. While writing notes is important, it’s not important to write down every word. Figure out how you learn best and only write down what you need to jog your memory. Class will be a lot less stressful, and you’ll actually remember more than you think.

8. Stay Positive

Having a positive attitude goes a long way. If you believe in yourself and your ability, you'll have the confidence to make better grades.

9. Use Your Textbook

Textbooks are dense with information and hard to read. But often, your professor chooses the textbook because it will actually help you grasp the concepts. Studying really does help.

10. Declutter your dorm.

A messy room causes distractions, and for many, causes environmental anxiety. Clean up your room and designate a specific place for studying. You’ll learn better in a fresh space.

Become the Best Student You Can Be

One of the best ways to start off the semester right is to organize your space. Consider moving your clutter to local storage units, where your items will be easily accessible. Our storage units in Philadelphia, PA come in a variety of sizes for packing away your clutter and helping to reduce your distractions this semester, so you can focus on getting your schoolwork done.