Riddle: College Sheets

[TromboneAl]

We've just been informed that regular sheets won't fit the beds at college. The beds at college are longer. Apparently this is true for many colleges.

Why is that? Are college people a different size? Do kids keep their books under the covers?

I can't figure out how that could have started. Did one college happen to make the beds too long, and that became the standard? Did someone say "Hey, if we make the beds a different size, all the kids will have to buy new sheets, and we can sell sheets!"

 

[eyeonFI]

I don't know if it's the "real" answer, but the standard line I've heard the administrators give during parent orientation talks is that you, the parents, are feeding them too much. That is, the average height has increased over the last couple decades and so they started putting longer beds in the dorms to accomodate taller kids.

But probably it has something to do with getting a kickback from the long sheet sellers...

 

[Nords]

We've just been informed that regular sheets won't fit the beds at college.  The beds at college are longer.  Apparently this is true for many colleges.

Why is that?  Are college people a different size?   Do kids keep their books under the covers?

I can't figure out how that could have started.  Did one college happen to make the beds too long, and that became the standard?  Did someone say "Hey, if we make the beds a different size, all the kids will have to buy new sheets, and we can sell sheets!" 

First, I hope that no one thinks this is a parent's problem. "Welcome to the real world, kid!"

Second, it sounds like the sheets will fit most of the mattress-- just not the last few inches. Did the kid suddenly outgrow the sheets between the high school bed and the college bed? That naked real estate at the foot of the bed will probably just serve as extra storage.

Third, after they leave home then naked is none of our business anymore, but do you really want an unsupervised teenager to have a luxuriously comfortable bed?

Fourth, and in a similar vein, does anyone remember how much time they spent sleeping at college? Wasn't it mostly an exercise in sleep deprivation?

Fifth, I spent four years of college with a neatly made bed and slept on top under a blanket or in a sleeping bag. A couple tugs in the morning, throw the top cover in the closet & close the door, and you're outta there. Those hospital corners are razor-sharp when they have a month to sit there and flatten out. It cut way down on laundry, too.

But then I have no idea what thread count our sheets have, either.

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

That is a "twin extra long" or "extra long twin". Search overstock.com and amazon.com for those two terms...both have ample reasonably priced selections in that size.

This one looks pretty nice, whole 'bed in a bag' with 210tc sheets to fit, $39.99 + 2.95 shipping for entire order. http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?page=proframe&prod_id=1468442

 

[TromboneAl]

I can order the top and bottom sheets and pillowcase from the referenced web site for $20 + shipping to the school. Of course they want you to buy two sets, but my daughter's never going to be washing and sleeping at the same time.

I remember being unable to find a pair of pants for a few months in college. Then they turned up at the bottom of the bed, under the covers. That should give you an idea of how I lived.

 

[rsboone]

They also carry the long sheets (inexpensively) at Bed, Bath & Beyond and Linens and Things, I would check Target too. When my kids no longer lived in the dorms I passed the sheets onto a friend who's son was entering college, so maybe you can find some that way.

 

[saluki9]

As a somewhat recent grad (7 years ago) I can tell you that they are longer, but not long enough. I'm 6'6" and my feet always hung over the edge of the bed.

Oh yeah, depending on whether you are sending a son or daughter to college you will either be happy or dismayed that the beds aren't wide enough for two people either.

 

[moghopper]

As a somewhat recent grad (7 years ago)

Must have gone to SIU?

 

[yelnad]

I used to work in University Housing. The XL sheets line was crap at that particular institution. They would tell students they needed them, when in fact, regular twin sheets fit fine.

The reason is that the mattresses are about 3" longer, but they are also about 3" LESS in width. The sheets still fit. Do your homework before spending the extra bucks.

 

[Mr._johngalt]

I used to work in University Housing. The XL sheets line was crap at that particular institution. They would tell students they needed them, when in fact, regular twin sheets fit fine.

The reason is that the mattresses are about 3" longer, but they are also about 3" LESS in width. The sheets still fit. Do your homework before spending the extra bucks.

When I first glanced at this topic I thought maybe it was about the college
attended by Sen. R. Byrd

JG

 

[TromboneAl]

Thanks, Yelnad, I'll look into that. So far, googling bed sizes has come up with pretty consistent sizes:

Twin 39 x 76 inches
Twin X-Long 39 x 80 inches
Full 54 x 75 inches
Queen 60 x 80 inches
King 78 x 80 inches
Cal-King 72 x 84 inches

So I'll have to find out if the beds at her U will be narrower.

 

[Arin38]

I've never been particularly good with geometry, but how does the width of the bed impact the length of the sheets you would need??

 

[saluki9]

Must have gone to SIU?

Yes! Go DAWGS!

 

[yelnad]

I've never been particularly good with geometry, but how does the width of the bed impact the length of the sheets you would need??

It gives you some room to pull the sheet farther in the other direction.

 

[BUM]

Why are the sheets longer?

DUH?

TOGA! TOGA! TOGA!