A typical dorm room mattress is considered an "extra long twin." This size has become the standard in dorm rooms for the comfort of the taller students. Full size and larger beds are not practical in a dorm's limited space; but an extra-long twin gives you extra length while preserving value floor space.
Your standard length twin sheet simply will not work on your dorm bed; an extra long sheet is five full inches longer than a regular twin. A regular twin is 75" long and an extra long twin is 80" long. You won't find any sheet fabric that will stretch that much.
Twin Bed Mattress Size
Can I use Queen Size or Full Size Sheets?
Instead of searching for extra long twin sheets, you may be inclined to pack your full (a.k.a double) or queen size sheets. Good try; but this isn't a great idea. You will run into the same problem with your full size sheets that you did with your regular twin length; they won't fit. A full size bed is the same length as a regular twin. While a queen size will indeed fit length-wise on your dorm bed (both are 80"), you will find that the extra 21 inches in width will become a hassle in no time.
Many stores now carry extra long twin sizes sheets in a variety of colors; but the selection is still not as great as it is with regular size sheets. If you cannot find the perfect color to match your other bedding or room decor, only purchase the fitted sheet in the extra long size. Buy one in a neutral, solid color and pair it with a regular-size top sheet in your desired color or print.
Do Other Bedding Pieces Need to be Extra Long?
The one other item for you bed that must be in the extra long size is the mattress pad. Like the fitted sheet, it must be long enough to stretch around the mattress. Like we talked about with the sheets, a queen size mattress pad will certainly fit but with the bulk of the extra material your bed will always be a mess.
Whether you purchase extra long blankets and comforters for your bed, is mostly dependent on how tall you are. These are not fitted to the mattress, so regular length will technically work just fine. If you are on the tall side and don't enjoy your feet hanging out, you may want to consider an extra long length.
With the growing number of pillow-top style mattress being sold lately, you'll see a lot of fitted sheets and mattress pads labeled with something like "fits deep mattresses." These will work on your bed. You won't find the excess fabric to be too much of a nuisance; but they certainly aren't necessary. You may even be able to save some money on the regular depth sizes.