Randi: Dorm beds are a little bit longer! I was so mad about this too!

[LittleApple81]

I don't understand this at all. Nothing that we have for linens will work so I have to buy new for my son. I am glad she mentioned it.

[LuminousX]

1. The above average height kid

appreciates the extra six inches though.

The long sheets are easy to find.

[LittleApple81]

2. Yes, I went looking for them. But I am paying so much for everything,

I am going to give away my regular ones (moving abroad)... I feel like I am wasting more money that necessary.

[katym]

3. heck, i'm short as all get out

but most dorm beds arent much longer than the tips of my toes. Besides, most universities give you the option of bringing your own mattress if you dont like theirs. If they dont specify that, there's always the ever-popular "my child has back problems" excuse. And send some of those beds over to my college...I know a few kids on the basketball team who would love you.

[sandnsea]

4. Me too!!!

So ticked off. Why'd Randi bring this up? Seems like a weird thing for poltical radio.

[RummyTheDummy]

5. And even weirder in the DU General Discussion forum

This thread should be in the lounge.

[Kanary]

7. You're right.

I sincerely wish this was the worst problem I faced in my life.

Kanary

[LittleApple81]

8. Because it affects people trying to live pay-day to pay-day. It is

an economic issue that impacts the cost of college. And not the only thing... when you start adding all the "little extras" it becomes quite a load.

[RummyTheDummy]

9. Let me just say that

If this is the biggest worry you have to think about when it comes to paying for college, then you're in good shape.

I also think that since you're sending a son to college, don't spend a bunch of money on them. Guys sheets get washed about twice a semester (if that) and usually end up wadded up half on, half off the bed. Such is the nature of dorm life!

On edit: If your son is the Casa Nova type, there are far better things you can provide for him than sheets i.e. protection. STD's are pretty common at colleges these days.

[Kanary]

12. From one who lost her only child (a son) to abduction

let me remind you of this.....

Be thankful that you have a son

Be thankful your son is healthy (at least healthy enough to go to college)

Be thankful you are able to get your son in college

Be thankful you are able to go overseas (I sure would like to get out of here!)

Be thankful you *CAN* get him sheets.....

Or, even, be thankful he has a bed....... Clinton cut off many kids who no longer have a home, let alone a bed......

This belongs in the Lounge......

I don't expect you to actually care that many others are envious of your wealth....

Just don't expect everyone to jump up and down because you have to get new sheets.....

Maybe it's time for a little "count your blessings"

Kanary

[sandnsea]

17. We are thankful

Which is why we want our kids to have the best education possible. And you may not understand it, but little things like $25.00 sheets and $35.00 dorm fees and gas for orientation trips, and all the rest, can make it tough on a low-income family.

Clinton cut off who from what, by the way? He fought to get people help for college, through both tax cuts and assistance. More money for education assistance, child care, and medical for moms going to school. We need more money for college, that's for sure, but one President can't do everything.

[LittleApple81]

21. No, I am far from swimming in money. Sending him to college is going

to be a humongous drain for us. But I recall what my mother used to say "you are worth as much as you know." Which is not really true, because I can see in many cases is not what you know but whom you know.
And I am sorry you lost your son. That is an ENORMOUS hurt and it never goes away. My condolences to you.

And yes, I am very proud of my son. He is healthy, very smart, very opinionated, very politically active, very warm hearted... and very much into having way too much fun...which drives me nutty.

Like I said, we are making sacrifices to afford for him to go to college... and every dollar counts.

[Kanary]

22. If I had what you have

I'd gladly buy the sheets.

Gratitude will get you further than bemoaning the little things.

This belongs in the lounge.

Kanary

[sandnsea]

14. Oh I see

Yes it does add up. The $35.00 dorm room application fee really got me. That's quite a little bundle they collect with that one. For what? They've already got these kids names in a computer program. How tough is it to push the button and get the room assignments.

[medeak]

6. thankfully

son's college alerted us to it. Of course they made money selling xtra long sheets.

[judge_smales]

10. What dorm beds need to be

is wider!! There's only room for one in those tiny things!

[RummyTheDummy]

13. I think they're kept thin for a reason

And that reason is 1-Space 2-To discourage, um, certain activities by love struck college students. At least that's what my RA told me.

[markdd]

11. Not new info to me

Mention was made during prospective student orientation I attended in 1972.

[jdsmith]

16. Wow. Will you be graduating soon?

[markdd]

23. Nah, not till I

grow up.

[jdsmith]

15. It's not one little thing that makes college such a constant drain

it's ALL the little things: new sheets, blocks to raise the bed, etc.

One of my kids decided that he would go to a certain school after he found out that it gave students free laundry privileges. He took that as a sign that he (i.e., his mom and me) would not be nickel&dimed to death.

[1morelib]

18. Go to Target

Target carries the ex long sheets. My daughters cost $15.00 for a set. Don't pay for what the college offers you, they are much more expensive.

[tridim]

19. Try being an Architecture student

on a fixed budget. I was allotted $25/week (from my own savings) that was meant to cover food, supplies, dates, weekends, etc. My parents never understood that architecture supplies weren't included in tuition.. "Well, you'll just have to save!", they said. I remember the materials for one of my big projects was about $250. The average was about $100/week. That'll break the bank rather quickly.

Needless to say I was more than broke my entire college career, although I somehow still managed to have fun. :)

[RummyTheDummy]

20. Not only that

But many colleges are requiring students in specific majors (i.e. architecture)to buy laptops. It's not an option. They require it. That can ad $1000 to $1500 right off the bat.

[VTMechEngr]

24. I was an RA.

Pritchard Hall at Virginia Tech. Nothing like 29 RAs to control over 1000 freshmen men in one building. As for the bed, most twins are too short for a grown adult male. Hence the twin XL. The sheets are easy to find.

[Nay]

25. Kid off to college? Don't worry about the sheets--make sure he gets

his meningitis shot before he goes. It's a must!