<p>I think one set is good, but we too are the duvet type household. Extra pillow cases is a good idea…and make sure you learn how to fold a fitted sheet properly to save your storage :D</p>
<p>My D took two sets to school, but I do not know whether they ever get changed/washed. Frankly, I don’t want to know, but judging by her bedroom at home, probably not. When she got home for summer, there was a fresh set on the bed (because I put it there). At some point between then and now, the top sheet ended up on the floor, and she is now using just the bottom sheet and a comforter. I’m sure that’s how things will stay until she leaves, at which point I will wash everything and re-make the bed for Christmas break.</p>
<p>Most dorm rooms have very limited storage, and a spare comforter would take up more than its share of that space, IMO. Instead, my D took one comforter and several of those fleece throw blankets. They add extra warmth if needed, would serve as a substitute in case of a comforter emergency, and can be folded and kept right on the foot of the bed rather than taking up precious closet shelf space. Plus their used isn’t limited to bedtime; D throws them over her shoulders or lap if she’s chilly at other times of the day. And they’re cheap.</p>
<p>Both S1 and S2 gave up on top sheets a long time ago. I sewed all theirs into duvet covers. I found “guy” XL twin sets for a non-astronomical price at Bed, Bath, Beyond…</p>
<p>Does anyone buy an actual new mattress? One of my friends sending their first to college intends to do just that, and now I’m wondering if that’s the norm, or not? Surely not?</p>
<p>New mattress sounds ridiculously privileged. But, we had an expensive linens shop open in my part of town, very exclusive- and my flutesnooty neighbor tried to convince me they do a large business in monogrammed sheet sets for, yup, college gals. I hope not.</p>
<p>Depending on the condition of my mattress when I go to orientation, I may bring another. I have a normal twin at home (my dorm has a twin XL) that I may end up bringing depending on how my schools mattress looks.</p>
<p><<both s1="" and="" s2="" gave="" up="" on="" top="" sheets="" a="" long="" time="" ago.="">></both></p>
<p>What IS it with guys and top sheets??? My 2 don’t use them either! </p>
<p>Both boys will have 1 set of sheets (I learned my lesson with #1) and extra pillow cases. I also made both of them quilts for Xmas.</p>
<p>packalldwy–keep in mind that most schools do not allow you to remove furnishings from your room so if you bring your own mattress you will have to keep the school on in your room all year.</p>
<p>
Especially if it’s a different size.</p>
<p>As I type I have sitting next to me a fitted extra long twin sheet still in its original plastic. </p>
<p>S graduated from college in June. :D</p>
<p>I bought him 2 sets when he left for school. I don’t know what happened to the extra flat sheet. The fitted sheet that he used all four years had a hole in it, so I threw it away when we were packing up his room after Commencement.</p>
<p>Chalk him up as another guy with an aversion to using the top sheet. Luckily, his down comforter had a duvet cover that could be washed separately. I’m a big fan of microfleece blankets for kids in college. They don’t cost much, can take a huge amount of abuse, and can be thrown in any washing machine and dryer. Queen size blankets and duvets work well on XLTs, hanging down the sides enough to function as a bedspread.</p>
<p>I got a memory foam topper for him at Target, back in the day, for $25. We abandoned it in one of his fraternity house rooms, because it had taken too much abuse and had some horrible stains that I didn’t want to even think about.</p>
<p>BTW, I have to say that the cotton sateen sheets from The Company Store were not only inexpensive, but of tremendous quality. Soft, but wore like iron.</p>
<p>My two sons don’t like top sheets either. They didn’t even bother to take them to college. S1’s roommate was the same way. As his Mom was getting his new bedding out on move-in day,she offered his top sheet to my S1. We just had to laugh. At home if I put top sheets on their beds I’d find them all pushed down to the foot of the bed in a big wad.</p>
<p>I don’t understand top sheets so they never get used. Two sets is plenty. Only one comforter. I love fleece blankets though. </p>
<p>Also, I’ve never heard of anyone taking a mattress. You’d probably be laughed at for having two mattresses.</p>
<p>I never use top sheets either. I HATE making my bed so I’m the gross/weird girl who sleeps on top of her comforter and uses a light blanket to cover herself with. I get hot at night anyway and I do wash my comforter when necessary, lol so it’s all good.</p>
<p>Do you recommend those vacuum seal bags for comforters and clothes in order to conserve space?</p>
<p>Just throwing this out as an idea for some folks- </p>
<p>We didn’t do this with my son at Penn State, but with the one at LSU - we rented a small storage unit not too far from campus. He has a lot of “stuff” that he needs off and on during the year - but takes up lots space (out of season/winter clothing, camping/hiking gear, bike, etc). We got a climate controlled unit because of the clothing items, but that really isn’t critical in State College. </p>
<p>Yes - it’s an extra expense, but it also makes things easier during the summer. At the end of the semester, he just put everything in the storage unit. Certainly made things easier!</p>
<p>Conserve space in the dorm room? No. You put the comforter on your bed. You put clothes in the dresser and closet. You don’t take so much that you make this more complicated than it is. You can call housing at the school and ask what sort of dresser/closet your room has. </p>
<p>Most kids manage. They don’t need to bring a mattress from home or set up like some Ikea model room, with all the extra bins and boxes. Besides, if you are close enough, in theory, to bring a mattress, you are close enough to tote warm clothes home at Thanksgiving and bring back warmer clothes then. Don’t overthink this.</p>
<p><< Besides, if you are close enough, in theory, to bring a mattress, you are close enough to tote warm clothes home at Thanksgiving and bring back warmer clothes then>></p>
<p>Excellent point. If you live relatively nearby - no need to take everything at once. Unfortunately - we weren’t in that position. Would have been so much easier if we were… ;)</p>
<p>“Do you recommend those vacuum seal bags for comforters and clothes in order to conserve space” - Not unless there is a vaccuum available next May for the return trip.</p>
<p>LESS IS MORE. For bedding, one comfort is plenty (and possibly a blanket). I think one set of sheets is plenty, especially if space is limited Some kids bring 2 sets. An extra pillow case is a good idea.</p>
<p>My older son’s 2nd set of sheets came back after the first year - completely unused!</p>