Napping is a necessity that many college students do not take advantage of. I am onto you. I know you clicked on this article because you saw that beautiful word -- napping. Whatever the reason, I am glad you clicked because this article could potentially change your life. Maybe.

College is exhausting. It is emotionally, socially, mentally, and physically taxing on us. What saves the day without fail? Naps. I wish I could take a four-year-old by the shoulders, look them in the eye and say, "Cherish the naps you are forced to take." Even though they take naps way after kindergarten, people are mistaken if they don’t think that college students need naps just as much as four-year-olds do. 

Let’s look at the facts. Forty-eight of Americans say they are sleep deprived, yet, only 34 percent nap regularly! As college kids, we can change the napping world, one nap at a time. Here are some ways to master the beautiful art of napping. 

The Five Types of Naps:

1. Power nap. Ten to 20 minutes Best for getting right back to work. 

2. Nasa nap. This 26 minute nap was proven by NASA to improve a pilot’s performance by 34 percent, and alertness by 54 percent. Pilots use this nap while the plane is in autopilot, and when they wake up everything is better. 

3. No-no nap. This is the 30 minute nap that you take and you wake up and feel more tired than before you napped! This is called “sleep inertia”, (aka sleep hangover) and it takes 30 minutes, on average, to recover and receive benefits from the nap. Try to avoid these if you can. 

4. Slow wave sleep nap. This one is 60 minutes If you have a big presentation or exam coming up, this nap should become your best friend. It is awesome for your cognitive memory, which helps with remembering places, faces and facts. 

5. Full sleep cycle nap. This lovely 90 minute nap is also extremely beneficial before a big exam. It helps creativity as well as emotional and procedural memory. This nap is almost always a good choice.

• The perfect time to take a nap is between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

• To avoid deep sleep, try sleeping slightly upright. 

• Dim to dark lighting will help stimulate melatonin in your body.

• The perfect temperature for napping is between 60 and 68 degrees fahrenheit. 

• If you drink a cup of coffee before a short nap, the caffeine will kick in right when you wake up, making you feel alert and ready for the rest of your day. 

At our age, sleep deprivation is detrimental to our performance in class. Try your best to be smart and make sleep a priority. I know that studying is sleep’s mortal enemy, but try to keep the peace. College students need naps, too. Sweet dreams.