The topper is just a temporary fix. You will usually start to feel the discomfort again when in a couple of years. Usually people buy too hard of a mattress and they don't get the support that you need. When you lay on a mattress it should conform to you back or side. Lay on the mattress the same way that you sleep. Never go shopping for a mattress by price. Find the comfort that you like and then talk price with the salesperson. In general, I tell my customers to plan on spending at least $1200.00 for a new mattress. Again, don't use this as a guide to shop with, but more as an eye opener to be ready for the price. Most people would be happier on Platinum Dreams, Restonic, or Simmons. These are my favorite brands in order. If you would like to ask me more questions directly my email is rsmit@pmbedroomgallery.com Good luck

Thank you all -- Geez, there is a world of info out there now...I had checked *some* threads here, but they were so-so...don't think I saw terri's thread. That link was great, walkin. Oddly enough, we decided to get a 1" Venus pad at overstock--I think they're there because Foamex went out of business--amazing discount. If we need any more thickness (I know 1" is very odd, but it's 8 lb. foam), we'll get another less dense pad for on top of it. Should be very interesting to see how it's different from what we have now. I'll keep the idea of the thick quilted mattress pad, tracey -- that might be a great way to address the heat issue. I also read on one of the gweb threads that if you put shelf liner under the pad, it will keep it from shifting around on the bed. Great! I have too much Ikea shelf liner I bought in the as-is section a few years ago -- so I know what I'll do with it now :)

Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions and feedback. It sounds like either the egg crate or memory foam would work, then a mattress pad goes on top of both and then the sheets. Cia1953: Good idea about the rental of the fridge+micro. As next year, most likely he’ll go in the apartment style housing I think he’ll need them only for one year. I’ve heard about the BB&B service which is really a great option for kids who fly in. As we live in Nor Cal. we plan to drive down for move-in day. Arcy: DS and I attended orientation last month and it seemed pretty much routine that everyone got the refrigerator and micro; though most likely I think he would purchase then in San Diego��"or rent like cia suggested. I’m not quite sure what you think is a luxury item, though. Certainly not the bedding? I got the impression from most kids we spoke with that the ref+micro was in lieu of a more expensive meal plan (which is how I see it for my DS too). Pudgeder: DS went to private high school so we’ve been using Amazon for years for textbooks, though the university was promoting their service where we pre-order books from them and they will deliver in a box to their dorm. I’m just wondering if his debit card works with Amazon or he should get his own credit card? Usually, he puts everything in the shopping cart, then I enter my CC and place the order, but I think he needs to have his own card to order books and stuff. Deborahnj: ha!ha! on the bed. I can totally see myself doing that too, making up his bed. We had a tour last month at orientation and DS spent a night in the dorms. The triple, like Ann mentioned, is really a double sized room, they added another bed to squeeze in more kids. So one side is bunk beds and the other a loft bed with desk below. Really no space at all. But they do have the common room that the 6 rooms in the suite all share. So, DS requested a single as he will still have lots of social opportunities since it’s a suite, but I’m not too optimistic he will get it. Betsy: Totally agree about the dark sheets and towels! Chefmom: Thanks for the list. I’ll check it out. Marie_cate: That’s exactly what the triples are like. One of the recommendations we’d heard, esp. if he is in a triple, is that they get one printer and share the cost of the ink. That is so inconsiderate, though, to use someone’s printer all year long without offering to share ink/paper costs, but I’m sure it happens all the time. Alku: I’ve seen the bed blocks at BB&B and great idea to store things below, but won’t work if he has a triple with the bunk and loft bed. I guess they have to bring a storage bin and store in the closet (which looked about 18” wide). Juliekmco: I saw the egg crate toppers at Target, good to hear your DDs liked them. I didn’t see the XL size, but I’ll check another location. Yikes, I guess I better decide soon before all the XL stuff is sold out. Lindac & Bestyears: Great list of repair/first aid. Definitely I’ll add that to the list. Divastyle: I’m sure your niece was thrilled with her dorm package. I’ve heard about the frequency of thefts so will talk with DS about some way to secure his valuables. I have some notes from orientation when campus police spoke to us….need to refer back to that. It was definitely a case of information overload. Annkathryn: Yes, that is what they have at UCSD. The triples were all originally doubles, so very tight quarters. When I was at BB&B they were also selling this room deodorizer; as my good friend whose DS goes there said the whole suite smells like a locker room! Guess most recommend a body pillow over the armchair type pillow? So far I bought him a comforter set with sheets, an extra set of sheets, 2 towels, 2 washcloths, 1 face towel. He’s telling me “Mom I won’t have a lot of space” But I figure you need one to use, one to wash.

I had heard that there were silk filled toppers that were supposed to be nice but I think they were more like a mattress pad that an actual thicker topper.