All day slumber party

Unusual napping spots on campus

| Senior Scene Editor

Naps, y’all. One of my resolutions for 2017 was to stop napping and to instead focus on being more productive during the day. I was really committed to waking up early and going to bed early this semester, until I fell asleep from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. yesterday. And I’ll be damned if that wasn’t euphoric. There’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to nap whenever or wherever you want during the day. While places like the Danforth University Center and Holmes Lounge are obvious snooze spots, here are some less well-known napping locations:

Lower level chairs in Bauer Hall:

If you’re going to nap on campus, you might as well stake out one of the nicest buildings on campus. Descend down the stairwell to reach the sets of four red chairs situated across the floor. If there’s an empty set of chairs, congratulations! All four are now yours, for the time being, since most people can’t sit next to a sleeping stranger without feeling a little weird about it. If none are empty, grab a seat next to a stranger. If every single seat is full, sprawl out on the ground until someone with a seat feels uncomfortable enough to leave.

Simon Hall basement bathroom:

This is a personal favorite of mine. While every bathroom in Simon Hall has provided a delightful experience for me, the single occupancy bathroom in the basement takes the cake. It’s spacious and clean, with ample floor space to get comfortable. While I’ve never napped here, I did hide in here when someone I didn’t want to talk to started walking toward me. They ended up deleting me on Facebook, so it worked!

A random bio lecture:

Remember, it’s not sleeping in class if it’s not your class.

Mudd Field:

This is the perfect spot for those days where you’re feeling 100 percent done with the world around you. I mean, you’re tired AND you have so much work to do AND you’re sweating through your 16 layers of clothing AND someone spoiled the newest episode of “Jane the Virgin” for you? Were you on the way to the DUC anyway? Screw it. Just collapse on the ground. You’ll get there when you get there.

Stairwell next to Cafe Bergson:

I mean, you could snag a couch for a quick nap, but Bergson is always so busy. Even if you do get a spot, it’s going to be noisy. If you cozy up in the stairwell, though, you can at least have some privacy. There’s likely room for a sleeping bag. Or just take a stack of napkins from Bergson and use them as a blanket.

Student Life office:

I’m going to get fired for this.

Mallinckrodt Center Subway:

This is, without a doubt, the saddest napping place on this list. You’re probably like, “Why would I nap at Subway? It is the saddest napping place.” It is for the experience. In order to be a well-rounded individual, you must put your face in between two loaves of crusty bread and take a little nap. You will be better for it, although I’m not sure how. That’s part of the journey! You’ll figure it out. If you don’t, your College of Arts and Sciences major really was useless.

Student Health Services waiting room:

No one likes being here. But if you have to come into SHS for a flu shot/checkup/intrauterine device/therapy/whatever else, you might as well snooze while you’re waiting. Even if you don’t have an appointment, no one will stop you from napping in the waiting room anyway. This is still a free-ish country for at least another two days, hopefully.

Whispers:

So what if Whispers is “not finished” and “hazardous”? Will you let a little construction and physical danger keep you from the one you love?

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter where you choose to nap. As long as you’re getting enough rest and/or making sure each nap you take turns into a power move, you’ll be just fine.

Sign up for the email edition

Stay up to date with everything happening at Washington University and beyond.

Subscribe