COLUMN: Finding refuge for the sleep deprived
Students, brace yourselves. Lately, more and more professors are cracking down on these new, radical “no sleeping in class” policies.
If professors take away the classroom as a refuge for remedying our sleeping woes, then where can we turn?
If you have not already found some alternate secure sleeping spots here on campus, then do not dismay. I have carefully scouted out and reviewed several of them in this column for your convenience. I’ve rated the reviewed spots as simply good or bad, the good being indicated as “Wrinkle Worthy” (in tribute to the ultimate sleeper, Rip Van Wrinkle), and the bad being indicated as “Insomnia Inducer.”
The Quad is probably the most public and well known napping nook. While the obvious attraction is the fresh air and warm sun, the big drawbacks are the constant audience (some sleepers don’t perform well while being watched), the risk of sunburn and the impending danger of being trampled by an enthusiastic frisbee tosser. Insomnia Inducer.
Though not immediately considered a sleeping refuge at all, the Fieldhouse provides for some surprisingly excellent slumbers. Head straight for the pole vault pads and you’ll be dozing within seconds. Word to the wise, however, make sure the track team isn’t practicing. Wrinkle Worthy.
Crazy enough to consider the parking terrace? Let me save you some unpleasant carbon monoxide filled moments. Insomnia Inducer.
The TSC provides numerous napping opportunities with the Sunburst lounge being its most popular sleeping spot. Away from the main traffic one floor below, it is scattered with an abundance of couches and provides an open environment. The problem is, however, that its popularity requires that you get out of class early to ensure a spot. While not an extraordinarily big sacrifice, it is also home to frequent distractions such as speeches, student activities, conventions and the like. Insomnia Inducer.
Once place in the TSC that may not be as well known is the lounge on the second floor where the old cashier’s office used to be. Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Sunburst Lounge, this cozy corner has 10 times the sleeping facilities. With a lot of overstuffed leather couches, no potential distractions, and huge beanbags (that’s right, you read correctly, beanbags!), your sleeping problems are all over. Wrinkle Worthy.
Go up one more floor and you’ll find some more overstuffed couches by the elevators. These usually have their quota of faithful nappers, but every now and then you’ll find an open spot. Wrinkle Worthy.
The library is often a common destination for snooze seekers. The ever-toted “quiet” reputation is enough to convince most, but I have time and again been disenchanted by the library’s sleeping options. While the furniture is made to provide ideal study conditions, I don’t think that even Garfield the cat could find a way to sleep on those stiff chairs. Insomnia Inducer.
As I look back on this carefully researched list, I’m afraid I haven’t provided you with as many Wrinkle Worthy options as you deserve. Though it pains me to give away my big secret, I refuse to be known as a selfish napper.
Perfect in its central campus location and ultimate comfort, and yet somehow completely overlooked by everyone as a sleeping refuge, I highly recommend our very own University Inn. Don’t worry about cost, when they come to give you your bill, just feign sleep.
Marty Reeder is a senior majoring in history education. Comments or
overlooked Wrinkle Worthy spots can be sent to martr@cc.usu.edu