There will be millions of people who will enter college this year and move away from their childhood home for the first time in their lives. It will be incredibly difficult for some of them to adapt, and it will make college life that much more difficult when they are stressed and homesick. One thing that can alleviate some of that stress is to end the day relaxing on a good mattress. A good mattress aids in a restful night’s sleep and ensures that a college student is ready to tackle the next day’s challenges.
What to Look For When Buying A Mattress For a College Student
You probably want to know what the criteria are for selecting the top mattresses for college students. There are more than a few factors that go into making such a selection. In order to simplify your search, the big things to look out for are portability, comfort, durability, and cost. College students tend to live on very strict budgets, and they don’t have extra funds to fling around at just anything. It is important to get an economical yet comfortable bed. When moving from dorm to dorm or apartment to apartment, it is important to make sure that you get a mattress that is sturdy yet lightweight, and able to last for the 4+ years of college and even beyond. Sleep is very important for college students (and all of the rest of us!). After all, people will spend about one-third of their lifetime in bed. It makes sense that you should consider getting the best brand and fit for you!
Size matters!
Most colleges provide a mattress for each student. Usually, it’s a very basic twin XL and is more often than not, very uncomfortable. If this is the case for you, then be sure to scroll down and see what budget-friendly options are available to improve this mattress without having to purchase a replacement.
If you don’t have a mattress provided for you in your living situation, such as an off-campus apartment or home, size does matter. Are you purchasing a mattress for the average-sized student or the 6’5 football star? It’s also important to take into account whether or not you’ll be living in that building long-term, or for only a few semesters. If you’re not looking to live in a place for more than a year or so, then perhaps the heavy expensive king-size isn’t the best choice for you. Instead, opt for a middle of the road full size or twin XL.
Improving the Stock Mattress
So you’re given a run-of-the-mill (and less than ideal) mattress from your college. No big deal. There are a few things you can do to make sure you can sleep well at night without having to buy a new bed and not have to deal with morning aches and groans.
Mattress toppers are key! There are several products you can use to improve your bed. Products such as memory foam or egg-crate material can improve your quality of sleep. You can even save money by lining a comforter or heavy blanket on the mattress before placing the fitted sheet. You can even use a heated blanket in the winter months to stay comfortable. Many college dorms are known to be a bit drafty at times.
Make sure you rotate your mattress! We suggest that you rotate the mattress at least every other week. Even with the added toppings, your provided mattress can soon become uncomfortable given the lower quality of springs and cushion material. Regular rotation can extend the life of your bed and make sure you get through the school year.
Durability and Cost
In general, you get what you pay for. A cheaper mattress isn’t going to last as long as one with a higher price tag. That doesn’t mean you should go out and buy the top-of-the-line mattress right off the bat. Again, take into consideration how long you plan on staying in that dorm/apartment/house, and whether or not you plan on taking your bed with you. If you’re for sure that your living situation will be long-term then, by all means, get the best you can within reason. If not, then it may not be a bad idea to settle for a cheaper mattress, and improve it with an add-on mattress topper. After all, it is much more economical to replace a mattress topper every other year, than it is to buy an expensive mattress you don’t intend on keeping.
The Little Things Matter
It’s easy to overlook some of the smaller details. Yes, you can get the best mattress, pillows, and sheets money can buy. It may seem childish, but even a blanket from home, or a set or familiar set of sheets from home can add a personal sense of comfort and improve your sleep.
Clearly, there are quite a few things to consider when shopping for your college mattress or for ways to improve it. Whatever you choose, we hope these tips make the process a little bit easier. Happy learning! (and sleeping!)
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