Pretty soon, millions of young adults will head off to college with a hint of anticipation and appreciation. Many of them will expectedly be staying in tiny door rooms. But some will find the transition more difficult than others which is why it’s better to get started and make preparations earlier.

Bed Bath and Beyond has this very comprehensive tips for both incoming college students and parents. I’ll highlight the ones that relate to mattress needs:

– Check it Off. Use a comprehensive checklist to figure out what you need to buy and what you can take from home. Bedbathandbeyond.com offers a checklist broken down by category.

– Split it Up. Students should reach out to their roommates before they shop to decide who is bringing what so they avoid bringing (and buying) duplicates.

– Check it Out. Before you shop, check with your college or university on the size of your mattress. Is it a twin or extra long twin? It would be a shame to buy the perfect sheets and then find out they are too small.

– Don’t Drive Yourself Nuts! Gone are the days of bungee cording the trunk closed. Bed Bath & Beyond stores offer a unique “Pack & Hold”(TM) service that eliminates the hassle of packing the car. Students simply shop at a store near home and then pick the items up at a store near their college, or choose to have the items shipped directly to their school.

– Don’t Forget to Make Your Bed. When you get to your dorm room, cover your mattress with a mattress protector, a quilted mattress pad, a feather bed, and finally new sheets and comforter. You’ll feel like you’re sleeping at a four star hotel, not the freshman quad.

– Don’t Panic. As prepared as you are, chances are you will forget something. Relax … bedbathandbeyond.com offers a college/store locator that makes it easy to find the store closest to your college to get the things most likely forgotten, such as hangers, extension cords and surge protectors.

Via Bed Bath and Beyond bedbathandbeyond, college dorm life, comforter, mattress, mattress-pad, mattress-protector, preparing for college, quilted-mattress, sleep bedbathandbeyond, college dorm life, comforter, mattress, mattress-pad, mattress-protector, preparing for college, quilted-mattress, sleep

Silentnight’s Cornflower Mattress makes use of the Miracoil® Spring System technology. It also has mattress handles and air vents, for easier care and long lasting quality

* Unique Miracoil® spring system
* Mattress handles & air vents
* Dual patterned micro quilted mattress
* Easy care mattress - no need to turn

Via Bedworld

This very cute and appealing flower power quilted mattress comforter is designed for Ikea by Nina Jobs. Made of durable materials and woven with the finest yarn, the quilt has snaps cleverly concealed from view to hold the quilt in place, keeping your bed neat and tidy.

It is available in different sizes and can be machine washed. Dry cleaning is not necessary.

via Ikea

• Keep in mind that foam mattresses retain heat. Choose one that is engineered with proper ventilation, or buy bed covers that will help keep it cooler.
• If you are eyeing a luxury mattress, go pocket sprung types. They work to adjust to your weight.
• If you are going for sprung mattresses, then choose the no-turn types. Since sprung mattresses are required to be regularly turned (like at least one time each month) to maintain its quality and condition, sometimes the task may become too exhausting. To avoid all that, no-turn types are your best bet.
• Rotate mattresses which are made of latex or elastic foam at least once every month also.
• Side-stitching on mattress help keep it in shape.
• Tufted mattresses help secure fillings which may come loose.
• Mattresses which are quilted almost always come with a smoother surface.
• It is best to get the mattress together with the base, as they are manufactured to supposedly work together. Using a new mattress with an older base may not fit how the mattress manufacturers engineered for this to properly benefit you.