| By Kaci (Kaci) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 12:57 am: Edit |
Besides the obvious price advantage of the egg crate, do any of you have experience with the downtop featherbeds to increase comfort of the dorm room mattresses? My daughter just returned from orientation and said the mattreses are awful. We're just not sure if the featherbeds really improve the comfort over the egg crate pads -- never used either. Any ideas?
| By Ghhizzmo (Ghhizzmo) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 01:12 am: Edit |
Another idea would be to purchase a new mattress and have it delivered to the dorm. I found a Sealy medium hard twin XL mattress at Sears online for $119 on sale.
| By Kaci (Kaci) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 01:52 am: Edit |
The idea of providing one's own mattress actually came up in one of the orientation parent sessions -- the facilitator actually chuckled and said she had never heard that question before! Not a bad idea, as far as I'm concerned...
| By Boysmom (Boysmom) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 06:48 am: Edit |
Believe it or not, the schools my sons went to did not allow them to bring their own matresses. Somethng about fire hazards. You might want to check before you buy one.
| By Katwkittens (Katwkittens) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 07:03 am: Edit |
For my oldest DD, now a college junior, we purchased her a featherbed, an egg crate AND a feathertop mattress pad!! Bought through JCPenney's. She and her dormmates thought she had the most comfy bed. We didn't buy extra long sheets instead a high thread count with extra deep pockets to keep all the padding together and keep it from slipping around. Also instead of using a twin flat sheet, we bought 2 full/queen size flat sheets, sewed them together and made duvet covers instead. That way it all matched, she didn't have to fight to find the flat sheet, the comforter and duvet was oversized so it was more comfy and warmer and much easier to wash.
She had a down comforter inside for winter and a light-weight one for early fall and spring. We made extras, so she always had a back-up.
For DS (soon-to-be college freshman) I just bought the sheets and duvet at the same time, much easier! Found some blankets yesterday to match. Nice dark navy. Hard to ruin, hopefully.
| By Thumper1 (Thumper1) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 08:07 am: Edit |
Before you buy that mattress...measure the bed frame. DS's bed was extra LONG but it was also extra NARROW. It was not the same width as a standard twin bed...more the width of a cot. The x long twin sheets were very huge...too wide. I wonder if they make extra long COT sheets!!? We are buying DS a memory foam bed topper at Bed Bath and Beyond...$29.99...guaranteed for 5 years.
| By Jenniferpa (Jenniferpa) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 09:23 am: Edit |
The other thing I was looking at is the mattress topper made by Aerobed. It's approx 3 inches thick, but adjustable. I'm not sure how rugged it would be, however, and since it has to be plugged in, my daughter is concerned about the lack of electrical sockets. Purchasing an entirely different mattress might not be a bad idea, if it's allowed, but what do you do with the original one? It seems that lots of schools have problems removing anything that's standard equipment because then they need to keep track of who has what. I suppose one could just put the new mattress on top of the old one. Mind you, at this rate she'll need steps to get into bed, what with mattress pads etc!
| By Marite (Marite) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 09:34 am: Edit |
A couple of thoughts. First, in our S's college, removing a chest of drawers, however beat up cost $50 and at the end of the year, it had to be put back in the room. If we'd done that every year, it would have come to $200.00. Second, remember that the more you bring, the more you will have to take back or store.
| By Kaci (Kaci) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 09:56 am: Edit |
I really don't think we're considering buying a new mattress, although school is only about an hour from home. I remember my older daughter's roommate having a featherbed type thing on top of her mattress (but under the sheet I think) and it looked nice and comfortable but she said that as the down shifted, it didn't really provide very consistent extra softness or support. Looking online it seems there are featherbed "tops" that are more structured than I remember seeing before. With a deep fitted sheet, maybe that would work. Also, do parents buy some sort of cover for the mattress itself since from what I understand they are not sanitized between school years???
| By Garland (Garland) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 10:04 am: Edit |
Boy, do I feel inadequate reading this thread. It would never even occur to me to think about these things--I guess some time this summer we'll get sheets, but feather beds? I always figured my kids could "lump it" (pun intended).
(PS Since we've encouraged them not to worry about making a lot of money, we also need to be sure they don't get used to comfort!)
| By Marite (Marite) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 10:16 am: Edit |
Garland:
LOL. My younger S is definitely "lumping it," but at home. He inherited his older brother's bed. You can feel the boxspring when sitting on it, but my S claims it's okay to lie down on it. I've stuck an eggcrate mattress between the box spring and the mattress, hoping the whole thing will last another year until he goes off to college.
| By Lefthanging (Lefthanging) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 10:20 am: Edit |
Kat: In what sequence did she layer all that? I just bought an eggcrate but don't know whether the mattress pad belongs on top or underneath it?
| By Cruella (Cruella) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 11:12 am: Edit |
At the University of Michigan you can not bring your own mattress. That was brought up at orientation. It is a fire safety issue.
I am buying my son an eggcrate topper. The feather beds do get "bunchy" and have to be shaken on a regular basis.
Lefthanging: you can put the topper over the mattress pad if that's what you want. I've done it both ways and I prefer it on top of the mattress pad rather than under it. You can also use the topper with the eggs up or down. It's all a matter of choice. We've used them both ways.
Does anyone know where to buy extra long egg crate toppers?
| By Clickspring (Clickspring) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 12:05 pm: Edit |
Egg crates make a big difference. She will get used to it
| By Rhonda63 (Rhonda63) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 12:12 pm: Edit |
I second the comment about narrow beds. My D's bed was x-long, but narrower than a regular twin bed.
She didn't take an egg crate pad, but is thinking about doing so this year. They're pretty cheap, so I figure why not.
| By Happykid (Happykid) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 12:34 pm: Edit |
I tend to sleep hot. Do you think the egg crate pads would make me sleep even hotter? For example I cannot stand sheets with any polyester in them - I just fry.
Does anyone have any experience with memory foam (that NASA stuff)toppers? I have heard they make sleepers hot. Ahhh...what to do!
| By Aparent4 (Aparent4) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 12:55 pm: Edit |
We use both a good-quality mattress pad and an egg crate, as recommended by some other parents. Seems to be a good combo. Given the whole messiness of life at school, I was skittish about a featherbed. We did get both kids a goosedown comforter, but it's easy for them to wash the duvet.
Happykid, I have an egg crate pad on my bed and I also hate sleeping with polyester sheets, so it doesn't seem to be a problem. Go for it -- once you've experienced an egg crate pad, you practically don't want to get out of bed in the morning!
| By Rhonda63 (Rhonda63) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 12:58 pm: Edit |
LOL, just what kids in college need ... something to make it even harder to get out of bed!! 
| By Ariesathena (Ariesathena) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 01:23 pm: Edit |
I used a feather bed one year and an egg crate another year. (My sis wanted the feathers back, so I went for the egg crate.)
Egg crates are cheaper, not as comfy, and fall apart, unless you get ones that have a 10 year warrenty. Still very much an improvement over the normal mattresses.
Feather beds are more comfy, don't shift as much, and are nice and toasty during the winter. Rhonda is entirely correct though - crawling out of bed with those things is not easy.
College beds are a bit narrower than twins, I think.
| By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 01:52 pm: Edit |
KACI: Boy, have we been down this road! My daughter started out with...let's see...an XL-twin dorm mattress on a plywood platform bed. In Sept, we made up her bed with a top-quality, "guaranteed fit" mattress pad cover, ordered online from JC Penney. Over that, a fitted, deep pocket XL sheet (no flat sheet) and a regular twin, light down comforter with a regular twin duvet.
By Thanksgiving Break, she was dying from the mattress, even with a great mattress pad! Eddie Bauer had feather beds on sale, so we got a $99 reg. twin feather bed (topper). We put that on top of the mattress pad and underneath the XL fitted sheet. Then, she really had a poofy bed, which got her through the rest of the year. The reg. twin feather topper came up just a tad short on the mattress, so we put the short end at her feet. Whenever she washed her linens, it was a pain for her to make up the bed by herself. We moved her out of the dorms a week ago, and the big, floofy feather bed took up half the car!
Just this past Sunday, we moved our son into a dorm for the summer. I got smart about it this time and ordered an XL-TWIN MEMORY FOAM pad for $135 and an optional cotton cover for $49. The thing is heavy, but for transporting, we folded it up into a 37" wide zippered, plastic, blanket bag that I already had for storing bedding. The Container Store carries big blanket bags. The foam pad fit well on top of his crappy mattress, and the XL "guaranteed fit" twin mattress pad (ordered from JC PENNEY online) fit nicely over the mattress & the foam pad. An XL-twin fitted sheet (from Pottery Barn Teen online) went over that. Again, we didn't bother with a flat sheet, and he was fine with a twin-size down blanket (thinner than regular down comforters) inside of a regular twin jersey duvet. Jersey sheets are soft, inexpensive, stretchy, and not too hot.
So, good luck! It's taken us a year to figure out how to conquer the dorm mattress problem. Egg carton pads are okay, but they really don't add much padding. Even though the Memory Foam pad is the more expensive option, I like it because it is easier to transport than a mattress or a feather bed (the MF folds or rolls up), and it will last as spare bedding either for my kids once they're in their own apts, or for us to keep on hand. As far as being hot, I don't know. I can see how that dense foam could retain heat more than a regular mattress; a feather bed would do the same thing. But, I'd suggest sleeping on top of the duvet, then, and just using a spare blanket. I did send my daughter off to college with a spare blanket because she had a tendancy to sleep on top of her covers. A spare blankie is nice to have for walking around the hall in their pj's.
| By Rhonda63 (Rhonda63) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 02:14 pm: Edit |
I would also caution that featherbeds might be too hot in a warm dorm room -- some of those dorms are really overheated.
| By Angstridden (Angstridden) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 03:21 pm: Edit |
Oh gads..another thing for me to worry about.
LOL I never thought about saggy mattresses..never heard of an egg crate topper..
And I thought I was doing good cus I found her a Vornado fan for her unconditioned room...
| By Elleneast (Elleneast) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 04:02 pm: Edit |
My daughter's dorm had XL twin institutional mattresses (the exterior was waterproof ) on top of a spring frame. She found it surprisingly comfortable and sent home the egg crate. She did use a fairly thick mattress cover. I would wait until you get there and see how comfortable the mattress is before you spend $$ on extras.
Angstridden....thanks for mentioning the Vornado fan. I have to find one of those because her dorm this coming year is not air conditioned.
| By Angstridden (Angstridden) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 04:26 pm: Edit |
I figured I would buy it with a store that has a liberal return policy..got it at Bed Bath and Beyond..with 20% off coupon (btw those NEVER expire)
Anyway then if her roomate has one or she doesnt need it I can return it..but at least I dont have to worry about them selling out
I got the one on the stand that you can slide up and down.
I did buy a cheapie small one for her orientation but returned it as she didnt need it.
| By Kaci (Kaci) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 04:45 pm: Edit |
Regarding Bed Bath & Beyond in case you don't know, they will let you use up to 5 of those 20% off coupons at one time (five different items of course). I used to think it was only one coupon per visit. Happy shopping! And thanks for all the suggestions.
| By Katwkittens (Katwkittens) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 05:18 pm: Edit |
DD put down the egg crate for support first, then featherbed, then mattress pad with built-in topper. Her dorm room mattress were the nastiest! As a family we don't have alot of luxuries but as far as bedding I am a fanatic. Some fatherbeds come quilted so as to not shift and with different fill levels depending on support needed and warmth factor. Same with pillows and comforters. I always buy pillow and comforter protectors and put them under the duvets and pillowcases. Also attach hooks, snaps or ties to keep the comforters from shifting inside the duvet.
DD and DS have extra pillows (cheaper ones, not the down they sleep on) that they use for sofa- like pillows to prop against the wall to use bed as a sofa/daybed. They also have a medium-weight blanket, one size bigger than the bed to use for either additional warmth or instead of the comforter. Also they have a smaller blanket to keep out on top for walking around, laps or guests.
I always keep the receipts, just in case. DD also took a rug with her and was happy to have it. The floor in her dorm was yucky and she likes sitting or laying on the floor sometimes to do projects. DS's dorm also allows rugs just with a particular type of backing. But his college stores their things through breaks and summer in a secured facility, so no hauling things back and forth year to year. Just the initial haul and then the one four years later, no charge. Also, they provide a linen service at no charge weekly, wash, fold or make the bed depending on your preferences.
Now getting his clothes ready will be a whole new obstacle! Going from warm to really cold!
| By Xiggi (Xiggi) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 05:19 pm: Edit |
To ease the transport of light and bulky items, you can always use the big garbage bags and suck the air out with any vacuum cleaner. It is not perfect but it saves lots of space in the car.
| By Shopmom (Shopmom) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 06:31 pm: Edit |
We have featherbeds for the tops of our mattresses at home and bought one for my daughter for her dorm. Soooo comfy.
| By Cruella (Cruella) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 01:18 pm: Edit |
Happykid, use the eggs in the "up" position for cooler sleeping.
| By Happykid (Happykid) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 01:21 pm: Edit |
Thanks, Aparent4 and Cruella. I think I'll get an egg crate and see how it goes. Makes sense to put it in the up position - better air circulation.
How much would a good quality egg crate cost, anyone?
Thanks.
| By Sac (Sac) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 02:08 pm: Edit |
My son's allergic to feathers! I don't think it's an uncommon allergy. And, I'm thinking as I read this thread that it might be a problem if his roomate comes equipped with down comforters, featherbeds, etc, if feather particles end up floating in the room.
Of course, he's also allergic to dust, but manages to live with it since his floor is rarely clear enough to penetrate with a vacuum.
Maybe we'll look into an eggcrate pad. But I've noticed he seems to be able to sleep on anything, including the futon he took over from his sister, which sags in the middle. It's just a matter of staying up so late that he's too exhausted to ntoice where he's crashed.
| By Alongfortheride (Alongfortheride) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 02:25 pm: Edit |
Sac, I'm also allergic to feathers and cannot sleep on feather pillows or with down comforters. However, I have to be in direct contact with it, (like sleeping on it before my head starts plugging up. Hopefully, if your son gets a roommate with one, the same will hold true for him.
| By Marite (Marite) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 02:25 pm: Edit |
Sac:
In your S's housing questionnaire, was there a space for mentioning allergies? If the roommate situation is not appropriate, that would be a basis for transferring.
| By Aparent4 (Aparent4) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 02:50 pm: Edit |
Although this may be an obvious point, one great thing about ordering dorm stuff on the Net is that you can have it shipped directly to the dorm room instead of jamming it into an overstuffed car or paying to ship it from home. Before making a purchase, it's always smart to do a search on "[Store Name] discount coupon code, free shipping" and variations thereof; I can almost always end up getting 10 to 20 percent off or at least free shipping.
Happykid, as I recall the egg crate is $20 or less.
| By Ohio_Mom (Ohio_Mom) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 03:27 pm: Edit |
Happykid-
oddly enough, a wool mattress pad topped by a 100 cotton sheet may be best. The natural fibers breathe better.
| By Sac (Sac) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 06:08 pm: Edit |
The college questionnaire had only two questions: messy or neat, quiet or loud. Nothing about allergies.
For someone who asked about memory foam, it is hot. It also outgases a lot when new and there has been publicity about some of the chemicals. I don't remember the same problems with egg crate pads, which we slept on for years.
| By Soozievt (Soozievt) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 06:16 pm: Edit |
Sac, my younger one has allergies too. She is away at camp right now but it is kinda akin to a college set up except they have SIX girls sharing ONE room, lol. Anyway, she is also allergic to dust. She sleeps with an air filter in the room and I actually brought it to camp. You may want to try one of those. They are quiet or can be on a quiet setting. Of course her room at home looks like you know what hit the fan. That's another story.
Susan
| By Kaci (Kaci) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 06:51 pm: Edit |
Regarding allergy problems, I was looking at the Bed Bath & Beyond site at their featherbeds and they do offer a "synthetic" down featherbed for those who are sensitive to feathers, etc. Not sure if they are quite as nice and soft, but, worth checking out.
| By Demingy (Demingy) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 07:02 pm: Edit |
Oooo. I have one of the synthetic bed toppers from BB&B and I really like it. It does bunch a little, but not as much as some of the feather toppers I've seen. I also have problems with down so this has been a really good alternative for me.
| By Cruella (Cruella) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 10:15 pm: Edit |
I saw some nice feather (down actually) pillows at Costco and they are treated in such a way as to be hypoallergenic. My son has awful allergies and he has a down duvet. It is guaranteed to be allergy free.
| By Patient (Patient) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 11:00 pm: Edit |
The memory foam (Tempur-pedic) site also said if you put it on a bad lumpy surface, it'll just conform to that shape. Also unless I'm looking at the wrong thing, they sure are expensive. I think we'll start with egg crate and move on if that doesn't work....
| By Marite (Marite) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 11:13 pm: Edit |
Ah, the joys of sleeping in college. I'm waiting to see how long this thread is going to be. 
.
Anyone going to start a thread on coffee machines for dorm rooms?
| By Jenniferelaine (Jenniferelaine) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 12:01 am: Edit |
GET AN EGGCRATE! If this point has not been thoroughly established already, I will expand upon the idea. College mattresses are akin to slabs of concrete. I have an eggcrate, one duvet (used as a featherbed in the fall and spring), a comforter, blanket, and 4 down pillows. This is transferred from my bed at home to my bed at school. Comfortable beds are a necessity, but 3 different duvets and/or feather beds aren't. I had the duvet before the eggcrate. It's the eggcrate that's the true staple (and my pillows).
As far as coffee machines go, if you must get one, get the ones that make directly into the travel mugs. I got mine at BB&B for $20. Well worth it.
| By Marite (Marite) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 12:43 am: Edit |
I was joking about the coffee machine. With all this emphasis on comfortable beds, I now understand why college students are seldom awake before 10 am, then come to class clutching coffee mugs.
| By Judy (Judy) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 07:46 am: Edit |
I saw an egg crate in Sears the other day for under $10.00 on sale for XL Twin. Do you get what you pay for or is a cheap one fine?
| By Aparent4 (Aparent4) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 08:33 am: Edit |
Cheap is fine when it comes to eggcrates. Sears is a great source of dorm bedding. While we're at it, my other favorites: http://www.overstock.com, http://www.smartbargains.com, http://www.lnt.com, http://www.target.com, and (sorry, can't get this link to work)
http://www.jcpenney.com. I have found prices generally higher at Bed, Bath and Beyond, unless you have a discount coupon.
| By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 09:05 am: Edit |
I was joking about the coffee machine. With all this emphasis on comfortable beds, I now understand why college students are seldom awake before 10 am, then come to class clutching coffee mugs.
We don't joke about coffee here.
( You can tell you are in Seattle by the numbers of people clutching cups as if to ward off demons)
Actually I don't think my daughter drinks coffee but she is on meds for ADD anyway, so that would interfere.
Her dorm housekeeper for the last two years however, always had a fresh pot brewing, with good coffee too.
RE B,B, & B, once you get on their mailing list , there is ALWAYS a coupon in the mail.
| By Funnyone (Funnyone) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 12:26 pm: Edit |
Someone in another thread suggested a king size mattress pad folded in half with an egg crate in between. Sounded like a plan.
| By Sluggbugg (Sluggbugg) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 01:53 pm: Edit |
"... It also outgases a lot when new and there has been publicity about some of the chemicals." --Yes, outgassing is the problem in my son's dorm room...
| By Docarchitect (Docarchitect) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 03:24 pm: Edit |
My son used a 1" flat foam sheet as a topper, which he also took with him on camping trips. He found it more comfortable than eggcrates since it's flatter and thicker, plus it was more versatile. I found it at a "Foam rubber and military surplus" place near Pittsburgh.
| By Happykid (Happykid) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 04:20 pm: Edit |
Ohiomom, where do you get wool mattress pads? Maybe wone of those on top of the egg crate would be ideal.
| By Happykid (Happykid) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 04:21 pm: Edit |
oops...one
| By Garland (Garland) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 04:28 pm: Edit |
"Ah, the joys of sleeping in college. I'm waiting to see how long this thread is going to be. ."
Marite: It's NEVER going to end...I had no idea people had such "firm" opinions on mattresses.
I dunno, if I start giving in on "eggcrates", the next thing ya know, they're gonna want cell phones, TVs, cars, and other fancy stuff we don't truck with, never mind coffee makers!
| By Marite (Marite) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 04:45 pm: Edit |
Garland:
You and I are soulmates, though we did give S a cellphone.
| By Aparent4 (Aparent4) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 06:10 pm: Edit |
Coffee makers are not allowed in s and d's dorms. No microwaves, either. The only small appliances allowed are small fridges and a short list of 5 specific models of electric tea kettle.
| By Ohio_Mom (Ohio_Mom) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 06:43 pm: Edit |
Happykid,
you can do a search on 'wool mattress pad' and get a lot of results. I would trust The Company Store, and Plow and Hearth products. The Company Store sells a twin extra long for $99. Be sure to READ THE LAUNDERING INSTRUCTIONS when you get it - especially about drying. You wouldn't want your twin xl to turn into a crib size!
| By Coureur (Coureur) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 07:00 pm: Edit |
>>Coffee makers are not allowed in s and d's dorms. No microwaves, either. The only small appliances allowed are small fridges and a short list of 5 specific models of electric tea kettle. <<
Yes, but the actual practice might be different. At D's college there are similar rules: only appliance allowed is an approved model of small fridge/microwave combo that the school rents to them. But when she stayed in the dorms on a pre-frosh visit she found that nearly all the girls had their own contraband microwaves. The only question seemed to be how/where to hide them during the holidays and other absences.
| By Lamom (Lamom) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 07:29 pm: Edit |
First I was going to get egg crate, then the foam sounded better but then the gas, so ok I'll air it out with my clean air purifier. Too much for me. Then I realized that if all I had to worry about was son's bed-I was very lucky. Keep on commenting, I need more to think about. Hope to see dorm rooms tomorrow at Visitation day.
| By Happykid (Happykid) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 08:36 pm: Edit |
Ohio Mom, thanks. The Company Store wool pad looks great and it comes in XL Twin! I think I'll get it and an egg crate and have them both sent directly to the college. You moms are great. Keep it coming!
| By Garland (Garland) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 09:09 pm: Edit |
Marite: Tell S2 he wants to go to Columbia. We could keep this up for years!
| By A2a2 (A2a2) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 09:18 pm: Edit |
I think the egg crate is fine. Bought one for my daughter, who has a down featherbed at home. She was fine. I actually think it's better. The featherbeds can get lumpy. And besides, there's no point in taking anything expensive for the dorm.
| By Patient (Patient) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 09:37 pm: Edit |
I am writing solely to drive Marite crazy with the length of this thread. Eggcrates sound funny, but I spent 15 weeks on bedrest with a high-risk pregnancy and that was when I first heard about eggcrates, from my doctor. Let me tell you, it was a godsend--stayed comfortable 24/7 for that many weeks. Funny....that was the child we are now sending off to college.
| By Sac (Sac) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 10:38 pm: Edit |
Garland,
You're ok depriving your son of eggcrate. Elleneast posted that her daughter had a comfortable bed without any additions, and I remember that her daughter goes to Columbia. I also don't think Columbia allows coffee makers in the rooms, so you're safe on that account, too. As for the cell phone, we will be sending S with one in hopes we might hear from him.
Like Patient, I discovered eggcrates years ago out of medical necessity -- after back surgery. I was in the hospital a week and, as I was leaving, the nurse said: "why don't you take that eggcrate with you, they're going to charge you for it anyway." I also remember that they charged individually for each Tylenol, but that's material for another, much longer thread...
| By Marite (Marite) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 10:58 pm: Edit |
Okay, I'll confess to owning an eggcrate as well, as a result of surgery 13 years ago. I, too was sent home with the eggcrate I'd slept on. I have not used it since getting off the hospital bed that I rented for a week or two. I just did not think my kids needed one either at home, in camp, or in college.
It's just that all this attention to comfortable sleeping strikes my funny bone, given that one of the greatest problems that students have in college is getting up in the morning to go to class. There have been students who missed their midterms and finals because they overslept. Some of these exams were held at 11 am (hence my sardonic references to coffee pots).
So I propose another thread, once we've exhausted the possibilities of feather beds vs. egg crates: How do we get our offspring out of bed long distance?
| By Jenniferpa (Jenniferpa) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 11:11 pm: Edit |
Perhaps we should consider the possibility that the reason college students have difficulty waking up in the morning is because they're all chronically sleep deprived from sleeping on standard issue poor quality mattresses!
| By Marite (Marite) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 11:31 pm: Edit |
Judging from my kids, a more likely scenario is:
1. staying up late shooting the breeze with friends or downloading stuff from the internet; 2. not wanting to get out from under all this comfy bedding that is being discussed.
S#2 has been making the rounds of college dorms during the summer(4 different ones so far), and has been having 9 am classes. I have not heard complaints about his sleeping arrangements.
S#1 went to college with 2 sets of XL sheets and pillowcases, 1 pillow , one blanket, 1 plastic mattress cover and lightweight mattress pad to go over the plastic cover. All this lasted 4 years and more. Before college, he used to go to a camp where the kids slept in bunk beds, 32 per cabin. The beds had sagging box springs or broken slats, but I never heard any complaints.
Maybe my kids are hardier plants?
| By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 11:35 pm: Edit |
The mattress at my daughters dorm was fine that wasn't the problem. The problem was she was the social butterfly and couldn't get to bed let alone to sleep at a reasonable hour.
The library has blankets for folks like her, who don't even go back to their room till 3 am when they have to catch up on their blogs.
| By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 11:48 pm: Edit |
All this lasted 4 years and more. Before college, he used to go to a camp where the kids slept in bunk beds, 32 per cabin. The beds had sagging box springs or broken slats, but I never heard any complaints.
Maybe my kids are hardier plants?
32 to a cabin? That sounds insane!
My oldest was riding staff for years at a campfire camp, the cabins for wrangler though were the newest at the 90+ yr old camp. They even had bathrooms in the cabin, and the bunks were only for the staff ( in a teeny room that was about the size of our bathroom)
When she went to college her single room was actually almost the same size as her room at home and had a bigger window.
The electrical arrangement was odd though. The phone jack & ethernet jack was on one wall and the plug on another.
| By Ariesathena (Ariesathena) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 12:00 am: Edit |
Re: contraband microwaves.
My alma mater forbid us to have them in the dorms, unless they were the very expensive microfridge ones. I found out pretty quickly that the sophomores all had them. Basically, they hid them under a bed or in a closet during room inspection, then used them otherwise. Sometimes, the issue is that colleges don't want them to be plugged in all the time, so you just plug it in when you want to use it. Senior year, my RA (also a senior) said that she didn't care about the microwaves - it was a substance free floor, so keeping that up was her top priority. She told us to hide them during room inspections or if anyone from Facilities came... which is what we did. The microfridges that we could rent were expensive ($250/year - more than a fridge and microwave), old, and didn't work. Milk soured quickly as the fridge seals were worn out, and the microwaves were miniscule and took about 10 minutes to heat popcorn. So, fridge in plain sight and a microwave stashed under a bed.
I don't know specifics, but I believe that most colleges have some sort of rule where RAs are not allowed to "search" a room. They can scan it if there is a problem, but they cannot move anything. So, when something is under a bed, covered by long sheets, the RAs are not allowed to even move the sheets to look for it.
| By Soozievt (Soozievt) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 12:10 am: Edit |
Marite, your post made me laugh. You are right...the irony in discussing how to make them sleep better when usually you think of college students not wanting to get up in the morning!
I had never heard of egg crates til I came to CC. I must be really dumb. My kids sleep on crappy beds in summer programs and they have never said a word about it! (and not to mention that I am leaving tomorrow to spend a week sleeping on the ground in a tent!) My younger one is away for six weeks and she is sleeping on the top bunk at her program and I went to make that bed the other day dropping her off and it wasn't too nice but she certainly could care less. I think by the time she hits the sack after being so intensely active from early AM til late at night, it hardly matters. Just last night she called me from her room at midnight!
But I wouldn't want my college kid to be "deprived" so I likely will look into this egg crate thingy that everyone talks about. Her birthday is a few days before she starts college and she is getting all the bedding for college, so I guess I can add this in. At home, my kids have handmade quilts. But I am thinking for college of buying a down duvet/comforter and then a duvet cover (as well as all the sheets and all that jazz). I have never owned one but they must be warm. I think the neat thing will be that you can take the duvet cover off and wash it. But also she will always have the down comforter part and can change the look in the future by changing the duvet cover. We have not had any time together to go look. But I have perused many catalogues and online websites for various ones and have bookmarked them to show her one of these days. Anyone else buy down comforters with duvet covers? Usually for summer/camp programs, we send old linens like my younger one has a handmade quilt at camp that the older one had as a young child. I know nothing stays nice there. But I figure for college, I am going to get this child new stuff (well, it is a gift as well), cause she likely will not just have this for the next four years but it is sort of a "starter" for her young adulthood, so I did not want to send very old stuff like at camp. I think it will be fun to pick it out if we ever get time to do it!
Susan
| By Any1can (Any1can) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 08:48 am: Edit |
I love this thread so I'll make it a little longer. I actually bought son a memory foam pad (1/2 price) after I sat on the thin, plastic mattress in the dorm. You guys are right, kids can sleep anywhere and on anything but I couldn't so I bought it to make myself feel better LOL! In actuality, son had shoulder surgery after a FB injury and some mattresses give him problems so hopefully this will work for him. Tried it out on D3 at home since she has a bad mattress and she loved it.
| By Grlzmom (Grlzmom) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 09:37 am: Edit |
Okay, here's a dumb question. Where do you put the egg crate and which side is UP? I "lumped it" in college.
LOL
| By Marite (Marite) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 10:02 am: Edit |
Emerald:
I'll have you know that we paid an arm and a leg for that camp and he would have gone for another summer if he had not graduated from high school. The cabin was divided into two sides, 16 to each side, 8 double bunks per side, with an entry hall in the middle. Indoor toilets but outdoor showers (only cold water available). Some of the beds had springs, some had wooden slats. None were new, and some were in sorry shape. But he loved it there.
| By Marite (Marite) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 10:07 am: Edit |
Soozie:
We use comforters at home, though not the down kind, and use duvet covers which we throw in the wash. I also use top sheets to save having to take off and put back the duvet covers, which I find too much of a hassle.
| By Elleneast (Elleneast) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 11:25 am: Edit |
I just checked back and cannot believe how this thread is continuing on. The D is currently in the market for a soft (preferably brushed cotton) duvet cover and comforter after having to throw out the quilt that she took to school this past year because of the wear and tear. She needs something that she can toss into the wash. BB&B, here we come.
| By Dmd77 (Dmd77) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 12:32 pm: Edit |
My son's camp didn't have showers: if you wanted to get clean, you took a bar of Ivory into the lake. 3 bunks to a tent (not a cabin) and composting toilets, a pump for water, no electricity, a propane stove in the kitchen, no sports that involved non-human energy sources (no water skiing, for example). They sent laundry into town once a week. After 6 weeks at camp, it took half an hour soaking in hot water to get him clean again....
My son gave away the mattress cover I got him for college--said it was too much trouble ;-)
| By Patient (Patient) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 01:51 pm: Edit |
The eggcrate goes on with the bumpy part facing UP.
When we met with the coach at Stanford, he said the only kids up before 10 are the athletes, because they are working out. I wonder whether they are sleep-deprived, or manage to go to bed earlier than the rest of the dorm.
I too had NONE of this attention paid to me. I did have a nice comforter to take to college--the same one I'd used already for two years in boarding school. For the life of me I can't remember anything about how I came into possession of sheets, but I had them I know. Certainly didn't have mattress pads or anything else, or nervous parents worrying themselves over the quality or quantity of my sleep as long as I wasn't sleeping WITH anyone (well, old-fashioned parents what can I say).
Funny how the generations change!
| By Fredo (Fredo) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 05:09 pm: Edit |
I abolustely love this thread - both because it's informative as well as amusing. Count me in the camp of going off to college with one old set of sheets,one old blanket and an Indian bedspread (remember THOSE??) I'm pretty sure my mother wasn't too concerned about the comfort of my mattress - I imagine she was a lot more worried about how to pay that college bill.
And I also own one of those kids who absolutely cannot get up in the morning, despite a CD alarm clock turned up to maximum volume and running continuously. I pity her roommate as well as the rooms next door. The only consolation I can take is that I won't be there to see the fallout. It won't be a pretty sight...sigh.
Does BB&B have XL egg crates?
| By Patient (Patient) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 06:38 pm: Edit |
Fredo--yes I had the Indian bedspread at one point too. Remember the kind of funky smell? But I loved mine. I saw XL eggcrates at BBB I think.
| By Katwkittens (Katwkittens) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 08:18 pm: Edit |
OK guys, gonna make it even longer!!! Went to BB&B, LNT and went into sticker shock. Traveled over to Ross Dress for Less, TJ Maxx, and Home Goods and prices were much better for better quality. They had down comforters, duvets and covers, comforters, shams, blankies, mattress pads, feather beds and a ton of sheets and towels. Son is now almost finished, saw fridges at Target.
The duvet/cover/sheets I bought son at TJ Maxx for 14.99/12.99/4.99 (Nautica Blackwatch pattern) was 89.99/89.99/39.99 at Linens and Things!!! Unbelievable. Also bought Polo blankets (wool and another cotton one) for 9.00 on clearance and mattress pad. Had all that stuff on clearance.
Have fun everyone!!!
Another excuse to shop!
| By Dmd77 (Dmd77) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 10:11 pm: Edit |
For blankets: I buy 2 1/2 yards of 60" wide polar fleece at the local fabric store. Whatever's on sale, usually for about $8/yard... Washes well, doesn't fray (so doesn't need hemming).
If I happen to see nice wool on sale, I'll buy a few yards of that, too. But that needs hemming.
But I have to say that I'm a quilter, so both my kids went off to college with handmade quilts in their favorite colors. Cheap sheets, but pretty quilts :-) I even made an extra wool-and-flannel quilt for my son for Christmas when he complained about being so cold.
| By Marite (Marite) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 10:18 pm: Edit |
How many kids make their beds on a daily basis?
My H polled his colleagues, and only half said they make theirs.
| By Cruella (Cruella) on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 10:31 pm: Edit |
Well, in the interest of keeping this fun thread going I'll answer that.
My son makes his bed every day. He doesn't do a good job, but it's better than nothing. Duvets are great because a top sheet isn't needed so all they have to do is pull it up and the bed is made.
I wonder if some of the sloppier kids will get neater or vice versa, the neater kids will get sloppier in the interest of keeping peace in the dorm room?
| By Sac (Sac) on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 12:13 am: Edit |
I still have my Indian bedspread! Well, I did. My daughter asked if she could have it after she graduated from college and moved into a house.
My son never makes his bed. I'm hoping he'll get neater at college out of self defense, cause I'm not sure how he could get much messier. But I'm definitely not going to spend money and energy on his decor.
| By Over30 (Over30) on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 12:23 am: Edit |
Dmd77, I do the polar fleece thing too (although I do hem it and have no idea why). The great thing about the fleece is that it dries in no time. Good for spills and good for washing/drying. It's 5' wide and $5-6 a yard. Less than $15 and you have a great, warm blanket.
No making beds upstairs at our house. Of course, one of mine usually just sleeps on top of everything so there's nothing to make. Remember the advice to lay out your clothes at night to save time? When this same child was younger he'd shower at night, put on his school clothes and go to bed. Netted him a few extra minutes of sleep.
I had a friend who hated to make the bunk beds. She made her kids sleep in washable sleeping bags. In the summer they slept on top, in the winter they slept inside.
I made curtains out of my Indian bedspread. We still have my husband's, and it still has that smell.
| By Jamimom (Jamimom) on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 09:05 am: Edit |
Love this thread!!! Oh these prince and princesses and their peas! By the time you get the beds done it'll be stacked up several feet high so don't forget the step stool to get up on the bed. Risers to raise the bed to use the space beneath it, mattress toppers, waterproof mattress covers or vinyl mattress cover if not provided, comfortable mattress cover and all in extra long twin, ha, ha. And down to boot.
Like Susan, my kids have slept on the floor, cots, sofas, etc. Also as Marita and Rhonda wisely bring up, getting them out of bed is generally more the issue, not making it a comfortable nest. But S and nephew (the guys not the gals) both got Tempurpedic mattress covers which were quite expensive as b-day gifts because they wanted them as their beds were too uncomfortable. So what can I say.
I will warn everyone that the bed is not just a place to catch up on beauty sleep in a dorm--remember back in your day, though some kids do get a lounge area so this may not apply as much as it used to. So the bed becomes a sofa where kids sit on it, eat on it, drink on it, study on it, spill on it, fart on it, vomit on it, party on it. My recommendation is to stay away from the down comforters that are high maintenance. Buy a waterproof mattress cover or a vinyl mattress cover if the mattresses do not come covered at the school. Buy a reserve mattress cover to be kept with the spare sheets. Use light cheap comforters that can easily be washed and replaced without huge expense or regret.
All of my kids have partaken in water fights to simple spills and other calamities where the bed was wet at an inopportune time. Having the reserve items in those plastic bags on a top closet shelf is a lifesaver if someone spill something on the bed at 3 in the morning. Down is a luxery for those who have real bedrooms and time to take care of those things. Save it for home.
| By Patient (Patient) on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 10:11 am: Edit |
Jamimom, welcome. Was wondering where you were. Thanks for bringing us back to teenage reality!
| By Alongfortheride (Alongfortheride) on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 10:33 am: Edit |
Jamimom, your post really struck home with me because I thought back to my college days and all of the "lounging" you just described along with its little spills and tragedies. I would also add that ink, newsprint, and all othe other things that rub off on bedcovers made light colors and delicate fabrics a real no-no too. Also, matress covers and pads are great and I will take your advice on the extra pad. I think that the pads we pick will not the the ultra thick ones. They just take too long to get dry and thus become inconvenient and expensive to keep clean.
| By Aparent4 (Aparent4) on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 12:34 pm: Edit |
Jamimom, just want to offer another viewpoint on the goosedown. I started out buying s a cheap comforter because I imagined all sorts of fluids being spilled on it. Nuff said. ;-) Anyway, the thing never got spilled on but looked like hell. So...I replaced it with a goosedown comforter with a duvet cover. S can take off the duvet cover and wash it, and he loves the light warmth and comfort (not to sound like a commercial lol). He's had it for 1 1/2 years now. When I happened to mention to s one day that I had doubted it would be a good idea to get a goosedown comforter for a dorm room, given that when I was in college I'd seen guys throwing up, stuff spilled, etc., he was deeply offended that I would have imagined such a thing happening to his bed! And he is not a kid who spends all day and night in front of the computer or something -- he is a frat boy, an athlete, etc. etc. So the goosedown may work just fine, as long as it has a removable cover.
| By Lamom (Lamom) on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 08:00 pm: Edit |
Tried cheap $8 eggcrate for son's bed at home. Seems very nice. I realized today that his bed at home is at least 12 yrs old and was from Ikea so school's mattress might be better than what he is sleeping on now. Jamimom, thanks for reminding us about the spills etc. Son is not the neatest.
| By Eadad (Eadad) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 01:45 pm: Edit |
Still laughing out loud at Jamimom's comments. Princes and Princesses, how true!
Just had a similar discussion with my wife on Sunday. She lived at home while attending first two years of college (we were married the last years) so she doesn't have the same perspective that I do. We were looking at some possible bedding choices for son's dorm room and I did my best to steer her away from light (read white even with patterns or designs) sheets and dark duvet covers or comforters.
Who knows when or how often their beds will be changed? Dark comforters are like dark carpet or dark cars...they are totally unforgiving and they show EVERYTHING!!!...LOL
Had to laugh while thinking about the egg crates,tempurpedic mattress covers down comforters etc. Without sounding like "in my day" I recall the fact that (as Jamimon said) beds were sofas, crash pads and were abused by, and subject to, every type of fluid imaginable. I think the only things we supplied were our own blankets (remember the first non-allergenic lightweight poly variety?) and pillows which were much nicer than the dorm issued blankets and pillows.
Back then, however, the boys NEVER upgraded from the dorm issued olive green (or were they avocado green?) or harvest gold spreads and matching bolsters that truly made it a sofa bed when not being used to sleep in/on. The girls all took the time and effort to coordinate and upgrade their rooms with matching comforters and accessories to dress up their rooms while the boys just moved in. How times have changed.
| By Patient (Patient) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 01:52 pm: Edit |
Eadad...my boyfriend (in 1971) advised me on the type of throw rug I should get, the type of comforter, etc. Very into esthetics. Granted that you are speaking for the majority of "guys".
That being said, I agree with you about the abuse...which is why I chose a plaid comforter for son. I have realized in my home why Persian/Indian rugs are so wonderful--because the intricate designs don't give a clue that they are abused daily by messy kids/muddy dogs. The nomadic tribes undoubtedly understood that those rugs could be spread out on desert ground and stand up in sandstorms and still look beautiful!
| By Marite (Marite) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 01:55 pm: Edit |
I want this thread to hit at least 100. Keep posting.
| By Dmd77 (Dmd77) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 05:50 pm: Edit |
I must say, I'm amused by the descriptions of the things other people's kids get on their bedspreads. In 5 years for my daughter (boarding school plus 1 year college), I've gotten one call about a mess on one of her quilts: her cat had had quite an accident (she needed to be taken to the vet for treatment for her diarrhea and vomiting, poor thing--we think someone in the dorm fed her something bad by accident). And my son (3 years) has never called for help in cleaning any mess.
They bring these quilts home for a one-a-year thorough cleaning, so I know they're not abusing them, too.
They tell me they spread a towel on the bed when they want to picnic on the bed. But both of them have had terrible experiences with ants in their dorm rooms, and really prefer NOT to eat in their own rooms.
| By Xtreme783 (Xtreme783) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 06:01 pm: Edit |
Patient
I also helped decorate my girlfriend's room which was easier to do since girls tended not to be the pranksters that the boys were.
Many of us wanted to upgrade but weren't ready for the abuse (room damage not verbal)we would have gotten back then.
It was all too common to be pranked by someone who might, for example, have left a bucket of water leaning against your door (ready to spill when opened) which made throw rugs ill advised.
Going to school in Wisconsin left a lot of time for indoor pranks on those cold days and nights.
Oh the stories I could tell!
| By Patient (Patient) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 08:31 pm: Edit |
Wisconsin sounds like fun and Marite you are almost at 100...
P.S. But then the boyfriend broke up with me and the rug got tossed along with most other reminders.....
| By Ariesathena (Ariesathena) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 10:21 pm: Edit |
I slowly upgraded as I got older - realized that my room wasn't Party Central, so my things were safe. The biggest change came when I lived in an apartment and really had a bedroom that was my own space - that was quite lovely. Colour-coordinated curtains, posters, comforter, and pillowcases. I took that all with me to my senior year single, which, again, wasn't the life of the party. I had an easy chair in there as well, which was a good place for any guests to sit.
Marite - closing in on 100.
| By Over30 (Over30) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 10:39 pm: Edit |
I'm posting to help raise the count for Marite, and to ask if anyone else noticed that our sleeping seems to be dominated by fowl things? Down, feathers, egg (crates)
| By Patient (Patient) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 10:42 pm: Edit |
LOL Over 30...do these random posts for Marite's sake really COUNT toward the 100?
| By Over30 (Over30) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 10:57 pm: Edit |
Patient, what do you mean by random? I had a serious question! I was worried I was the only one becoming a little bird brained by this thread.
| By Bookiemom (Bookiemom) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 11:09 pm: Edit |
This is post 101! My D had a really nice bed situation in her dorm room last year. Their beds could be standard twin height or with supports reversed so that the bed was off the floor about waist high with room underneath for storage (she and her roommate did that).
We bought her a thick mattress pad and an eggcrate and hot pink cotton knit sheets and matching down comforter (double size so it hangs down and covers the storage area). No duvet cover but the comforter is washable. She also has a graduation gift quilt from her grandma in assorted bright colors covering the comforter so it doesn't get too dirty. Two big new puffy pillows as well.
The whole bed looks very comfy and inviting and she really liked both sleeping and lounging in it. We bought the sheets and comforter at home and shipped them to college (so we could pick color); mattress pad and egg crate were purchased at Target at college.
My D was quite homesick her freshman year and having this comfortable bedding in cheery colors was a help for her.
| By Patient (Patient) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 11:12 pm: Edit |
Marite...sweet dreams (on a bed covered with duvets, eggcrates, foam, and featherbeds) now that one of your goals has been met...
Over30...SO sorry! Just kiddin' around...hope your brain recovers...
| By Over30 (Over30) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 11:36 pm: Edit |
Patient, Ok, so it was a 'little' random - all is forgiven.
I just hope mine actually goes to bed. He seems to really get going 'round about the witching hour. A cheap eggcrate, a cheap cover on his comforter, he's good to go.
| By Patient (Patient) on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 11:58 |