<p>S will be entering Bowdoin this fall. When we took his older sister to college, we carried her stuff in to her room, and helped her make her bed and set up the room. </p>
<p>I know at Bowdoin they spend their first night in the gym, before the orientation trips. </p>
<p>Question: 1) Do they just drop off their stuff in the dorms, or is there time to unpack/make the bed? </p>
<p>Also, how comfortable/uncomfortable are the mattresses at Bowdoin? </p>
<p>His sister is quite particular when it comes to bedding, and we purchased an inexpensive mattress topper for her. However, they are packaged very compactly, and when you open them up they need to expand and they also initially can have a horrible odor and need to air out. Due to travel we really wouldn’t want to open it up ahead of time.</p>
<p>So, follow-up question: 2) how are the mattresses at Bowdoin - are mattress toppers recommended or necessary? </p>
<p>I’m concerned if we as parents don’t unwrap it and stick it on the bed, it will never get out of the package, and if that’s the case, I’d rather not bother with one! I’m not optimistic his sheets will be washed very frequently (if at all), so I’m pretty sure however his bed starts out for the year might be how it is for the entire year.</p>
<p>you have time to drop the stuff off in the room, before heading to the gym. but i’d recommend not choosing a bed unless he’s communicated with his roommates about beds. you can leave the topper on the sofa if it needs to air out.</p>
<p>Thanks, pb2002. Just knowing the beds are extra firm is helpful.</p>
<p>I’m sure we’ll figure it out. S is not as fussy as his sister - she’s more of the Princess and the Pea persuasion. S is very laid back in comparison. If the mattress pad, sheets, etc. don’t make it to the bed I guess it’s his issue! Mainly been trying to restrain myself from purchasing/sending him with stuff he won’t use.</p>
<p>he be great. also, worst case he hitches a ride with friends to walmart or something to pick up things he needs but couldn’t anticipate. i can assure you they’ll take care of him there.</p>
<p>As pb2002 says, it’s best if guys do what the school wants: dump all their stuff in the common room of the quad (or the floor of a double) before the Pre-O trip and not stake out a bedroom or bed. Makes for better roommate relations.</p>
<p>If your S is like mine, he appreciates comfort, but does not want to have to deal with too much fussiness himself, especially in front of roommates. Although the first-year mattress definitely would benefit from the addition of a mattress topper, if S is going to be making his bed up himself, I suggest a thicker-than-usual mattress pad instead of a mattress topper. Much easier for S and you to deal with and it should provide sufficient comfort.</p>