I never napped. Like ever. Then college happened.
You will quickly learn, if you haven't already, that getting through college is impossible without napping. Sleep deprivation, long hours of studying, and class time give you no choice in the matter; your body will make you nap at some point.
I'm a self-proclaimed convert to napping, and I think that all people, especially college students, could really benefit from incorporating naps into their daily routines.
Because I had never liked napping or had the time to nap in high school, I was definitely a newbie when it came to the best way to nap. After first year napping, I'd like to think that I am now very adept in the science of nap taking.
There are many important factors for perfecting the art of napping, but the three most critical tenets to remember are timing, location, and quality of nap.
Timing
After classes: If you don't have any pressing work or meetings to attend after your long day of classes, this is a great time to take a nap. There are very few feelings as great as flopping down onto your bed after an exhausting day, week, month, etc. A nap after classes done right will leave you feeling refreshed, which is just what you need for helping you refocus on homework and other responsibilities.
In between classes: Naps in between your classes are heaven. If you have a decent split of morning and afternoon classes, sometimes a short nap in between your morning and afternoon classes will save your morale, attention span, and receptiveness to new information. The only thing that you want to be mindful about with these naps is that you have to careful that you wake up in time to make it to your next class.
During class: In absolutely dire situations, where you really need to catch a couple minutes of shut-eye, I suggest a light nap during class. I recommend a little nap during bigger lectures where you can rest for a couple minutes and still not miss much of the class. Never ever nap during discussions though — you will be called out.
Location
Obviously the best place to nap would be in your own bed. But if you don't have time to make there, or if you are simply to tired to make the trek, you're in luck, because UVA has many superb locations for napping around grounds.
Alderman Library: This is my go-to nap place. Anywhere in Alderman is suitable for a nap, but the best in Alderman to nap is the McGregor Room (Harry Potter Room). Every time I have "studied" in that room I've fallen asleep. For that reason I don't go there to study, only nap. The chairs are very comfortable, and the lighting is just right for dozing off.
Clemons Library: Clemons is a little less accommodating for napping, but still a good place for it. Pushing two of the cube chairs together facing each other makes for a great makeshift bed. Convenient and easy to do, this option can be awesome when you need a nap.
Clark Library: The stacks of Clark are quiet and also make for good napping ground, but its furniture options are not as great for napping as Alderman and Clemons
The Lawn: If its not too cold or too wet, a nap on the Lawn is awesome. Some light background noise, fresh air, and the sun makes Lawn napping very relaxing.
Quality
While the timing and location of your naps are important, the success of the naps lies in the quality. The length of naps affect the quality and restfulness of your sleep.
It's recommended to nap for either 30 minutes or 1 hour and 30 minutes. When you don't have a lot of time to nap, a short 30-minute nap can be just enough to rejuvenate you. But if you have some time and are in need of more sleep, 1 hour and 30 minutes is a perfect length to feel well rested and not super groggy when you wake up. Oversleeping can affect how well you sleep that same night and can leave you feeling lethargic and un-alert.
