Moving into a college dorm is an exciting milestone, but figuring out what to bring can feel overwhelming. From late night study sessions to shared bathrooms and limited storage, dorm life comes with its own unique set of challenges. I've moved three kids into college, and I put together this college dorm essentials guide to help you pack smart and settle in with ease. Whether you're a freshman or a returning student, these must-haves will help make your space more comfortable, functional, and truly your own. Here's what to pack to make college life a little easier.

Tom’s Guide rounds up the top-rated mattress toppers for every kind of sleeper—from students in dorms to side sleepers at home. This expert-tested list highlights comfort, cooling, and durability to help shoppers make smart, restful choices. Sleepyhead earns a spot for its impressive balance of support, pressure relief, and dorm-friendly design.

Generating near $6 billion in 2025 alone, the global sleep aid economy is supported by supplements, aromatherapy and wearable tech. Experts weigh in on scams, sleep conditions and best sleep practices.

Scottsdale-based business Sleepyhead began as a solution to a common college problem: uncomfortable dorm beds and exhausted students. Now, the brand is transforming the way students – and young adults – experience sleep. As one of the best college mattress toppers, Sleepyhead is more than a product. It’s a movement rooted in student values, social impact, and long-term wellness.

As part of its 2025 4th of July coverage, Tom’s Guide features Sleepyhead among the best deals on bedding and sleep tech. The article showcases top discounts across the industry, with Sleepyhead standing out for its student-focused comfort, cooling technology, and value-driven pricing—making it a smart pick for college-bound shoppers.

The Sleepyhead Gel Mattress Topper is a highly recommended product for enhancing the comfort and support of your mattress. Whether you have an old mattress that needs a bit of rejuvenation or a new one that needs an extra layer of luxury, this mattress topper promises to provide you with a fantastic sleep experience. In this review, we will discuss important factors to consider before making a purchase, address common questions, and provide you with an overall assessment of this product.

When considering the purchase of a mattress topper, there are several factors that a user should take into account. These factors can help determine the overall comfort, durability, and suitability of the Sleepyhead Copper Mattress Topper.

BuyersGuide.org highlights the top mattress toppers for side sleepers, focusing on comfort, pressure relief, and support. This expert roundup helps shoppers find the perfect topper tailored to their sleep style.

BuyersGuide.org presents its top-rated mattress toppers for dorm rooms, helping students find the best options for comfort, support, and a better night’s sleep in college housing.

We’ve rounded up a list of our top picks for mattress toppers for dorm beds in order to help students get the all-important rest they need for success in college.

In this in-depth review, Tom’s Guide puts the Sleepyhead Copper Topper to the test—rating its cooling performance, comfort level, and support. Designed with dorm life in mind, the topper stands out for its plush feel, temperature regulation, and student-friendly design. A strong option for hot sleepers or anyone looking to upgrade a basic mattress.

Despite overwhelming scientific evidence showing that quality sleep improves health, productivity, and longevity, a significant portion of the population still struggles with sleep deprivation, insomnia, and sleep apnea. This widespread issue has sparked the growth of a sleep-focused industry—led by innovators like Steven Van Alen of Sleepyhead—that aims to deliver sustainable, effective solutions to help people sleep better and live better.

As the sleep industry evolves, Sleepyhead is set to lead with innovative, student-centric products. Focusing on technology, health, sustainability, and personalization, the company is well-positioned for future market demands. “We are excited about our role in shaping the sleep industry. Our commitment to innovation and quality will drive our growth and success,” concludes Van Alen.

Brands like Sleepyhead have pushed the boundaries further by focusing on student needs, creating products that blend comfort with affordability and durability, thus transforming mattress toppers into essential sleep accessories for a wide range of consumers.

As a college student, Van Alen found the university-provided mattress uncomfortable. Noticing his friends using unbranded, low-quality toppers, he saw a gap in the market. Inspired by the rise of brands targeting Gen Z, he realized the opportunity to create a brand that resonated with college students.

In addition to nutrition and physical exercise, sleep plays an essential role in helping athletes achieve optimal performance. Unfortunately, student athletes often juggle a variety of commitments that can make it difficult to meet sleep needs.

ONCE, the essentials students needed for their first year of college were limited to extra-long jersey bed sheets, shower shoes, spiral notebooks and a few packs of pens. Thanks to abundant tech, however, the university experience has changed.

Sleepyhead sells mattress toppers designed for college students who want to upgrade their dorm room’s bed. Founded in 2018, the company offers mattress toppers in both college-specific and some standard sizes. Since university mattresses are often worn, lumpy, or uneven, a mattress topper is a great investment for students looking to improve the quality of their sleep. 

As a college student transitioning from home life to dorm life, Steven Van Alen was jolted by a harsh reality of campus living -- the notoriously uncomfortable mattress.

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

The mattress topper comes in both a two-inch and three-inch version. Prices start at $139 for a two-inch twin through $229 for a two-inch king size.

Whether you have an old mattress you want to breathe new life into, or a new one you want to make even more fabulous, a mattress topper is a simple way to improve your sleep game.

There's nothing worse than sleeping on an uncomfortable bed. But if you're headed off to college this fall, there's a good chance that your dorm mattress will be less than luxurious.

There are markdowns on electronics, clothes, backpacks, dorm decor, snacks… basically, everything a student of any stage could possibly need!

You can score these incredible Labor Day deals from home, vacation, or anywhere else because they’re all on Amazon.

Accomplishing what entrepreneurs twice his age are striving for, sleep company CEO and Founder Steven Van Alen already has his dream team of highly experienced investment professionals and seasoned industry executives.

Your freshman year of college is a series of new experiences that help you learn and grow. For Steven Van Alen, it was life in student housing that opened his eyes and inspired the idea behind his student-focused business.

Offering men’s and women’s fashion accessories including watches, sunglasses and bracelets, TruWood makes these unique pieces from 100% wood

Looking for the latest and greatest must-have for your favorite tweens and teens this season? Relax and check out our handpicked gifts—they’ll be talked and texted about for years to come!

In my opinion, being a CEO is the most challenging job one can pursue, which is probably why they are paid so much.