Does college have lockers like in high school? And, if so, how can you get assigned to one? You are in the right place to find these answers!
Here is what you need to know about lockers in college:
Are There Lockers in College?
Most colleges don’t have lockers throughout the school premises like in high school, but you may be able to find lockers in certain parts of the school such as niche departments or sports arenas – these may be available to everyone or may need to be appointed ahead of time.
Why Do Colleges Not Have Lockers?
Well, there are several factors that go into this decision.
For one thing, colleges cater to thousands of students. Having a similar number of lockers just isn’t feasible as it will take up too much of space.
There is also the fact that unlike in high school you don’t have back-to-back classes in college. As such, there usually isn’t much need to store several textbooks or other gear in a space close to you.
To add to this, a significant number of students either live on campus or near the school. This means that it is a lot easier for them to go to swap out one textbook or supply for another.
College campuses can be massive. This means that even if you had a locker, you may need to walk for several minutes to reach it after class. Thus, this would undo the need for a locker.
Which Colleges are Likely to Have Lockers?
It is best to reach out to a college directly and ask them if they have lockers on the premises.
However, some colleges have a student population where the majority of them are commuters. As such, only a few students live on campus.
In such conditions, the school is more likely to offer lockers.
If the student population is smaller, the school may also find it easier to have a similar number of lockers. The campus would need to be large enough to accommodate this, though.
Where Can You Find a Locker on Campus?
It is important to remember that every campus is different. They are structured based on various factors. As such, no two campuses will have lockers in the same location.
To discover where the lockers are on your campus, ask your administrators. Or, you can choose to do some exploring and find out for yourself.
Still, lockers are more prevalent in some locations than others.
You are most likely to find a locker near the gym or anywhere there is a sports field or a focus on physical activity. You may need to be a member of the team to get assigned a locker.
If it is a general use area, then you may be able to take any free locker available to you.
Libraries, test centers, and other study areas may also have lockers. Students may need to store their bags or other materials while they are working. These are more likely to be available to anyone using the space.
Art and music departments may also have lockers. This ensures that students enter the workspace with only what is needed. This makes for a less cluttered space.
Are College Lockers Secured?
Most college lockers will come with a lock. You should be aware that most universities are moving on from traditional lock and key combinations, though.
A greater number of them are relying on smart lockers. As such, to unlock the locker, you may need a digital code or to use your smartphone.
This could mean that you may require a particular app or be signed in with a specific department to use the locker.
If the locker doesn’t have a lock on it, it is best not to store anything that you don’t wish to be stolen.
How Can You Get a Locker?
Once again, you do need to check on the policies in place at your college.
In some instances, it is a matter of first come, first served. Thus, if you put yourself on the list first, then you will be assigned a key.
In other cases, you may need to prove that you belong to a particular team, club, or another department. Once this has been verified, then you may be given a key to a specific locker.
If you are given access to a particular place such as a practice room or area, then the lockers may be available to you. If this is the case, remember that you will only be able to use the locker if there is one that is free.
You should also be aware that not all lockers are free. If you wish to be assigned to a particular locker, then you may need to pay a fee. However, you will only need to make one payment per semester.
Always inquire about lockers before your semester even starts. This way, if there are ones available to you, you will get first dibs.
If you are serious about getting a locker, then it is worth it to look into joining a club or organization that offers one to members.
Of course, make sure that the club is one that you are actually interested in.
What are the Alternatives to Lockers?
If your college doesn’t have lockers, what can you do?
Well, you should start by organizing your schedule a little better. Look at the day ahead and think about which books you should take for classes and which ones you can afford to leave behind.
You should also organize your day so that you have time to make it back to your dorm to pick up any textbooks or supplies that you need.
If you don’t live on campus, then it can be a good idea to leave your books in your car. This way, you can make trips back and forth as needed.
The other option is to get a good bag. While a large backpack may make the most sense. You may want to think about bags that you can roll around. These have a larger capacity and are easier to carry.
Are There Lockers in College?
Yes, there are lockers in college but these are far fewer in number – you can usually only find them in specific areas and departments as well – you will often need to be a member of a team or organization to make use of these lockers.
