The best places to nap on campus: A scientific investigation

‘Tis’ the season to be jolly’ and no, it’s not Christmas. Exam season is almost upon us, and with it comes enough tiredness that would drive Jesus insane. But before you embark on your forty days and forty nights of revision you might ponder the places on campus that would serve well for some down time. During full weeks of revision, napping becomes the most fun you can have with your clothes on (and please keep your clothes on). So for this study, I have power napped every square meter of Lancaster University campus to find the best places with regard to comfort, noise levels and the lack of disturbances. Here are my findings:

The library

Of course, the library. The most common napping place on campus and for good reason. The library is the quiet place where you’ll probably be doing most of your revision so it makes sense to sleep there as well.

The best places to nap are on the C-floor obvs. If it’s not too busy, claim a sofa and conk out for a few. However, if it is busy, you’ll need to get creative. I would suggest lying down in one of the less visited aisles (Theatre Studies should be perfect). If you’re having trouble nodding off, find a particularly large book and give yourself a hefty whack over the head. Or you could just read. That works too.

Comfort – 8/10

Noise levels – 10/10

Lack of disturbances – 8/10

The learning zone

The learning zone is in a good position, opposite the library, and is great when the library gets too crowded. Unfortunately that’s where the positives end. The big windows and open plan make it pretty obvious that you’re napping in front of strangers. Not to mention, you’ll always be in sight of Greggs – a constant reminder that you’re hungry (and poor).

Comfort – 7/10

Noise levels – 6/10

Lack of disturbances – 4/10

Study rooms

“We have study rooms?”, is usually the answer you get when you ask people their favourite one (I ask boring questions). Yes, they exist and joy to the world, they’re almost always empty. But the fact that nobody knows that they exist means that there is practically zero disturbance.

The main problem is comfort. The only available seating is a small sofa and those rock-hard computer chairs. Although, when you do get to sleep, remember to set an alarm – nobody is coming to wake you.

Comfort – 5/10

Noise levels – 10/10

Lack of disturbances – 10/10

Furness foyer

If the library is the heart of campus, then the Furness foyer is the appendix – centralised location and function unknown. The napping there isn’t good at all. The long sofas, which should be great for a stealthy nap, are so covered in food that you’ll wake up with a crumble stuck to your face. The large windows might be beneficial to the performative sleepers among us, but for the rest of us who prefer to spend our unconscious moments privately, it’s as public as the learning zone. Next!

Comfort – 6/10

Noise Levels – 3/10

Lack of Disturbances – 3/10

Common rooms

Usually empty and with a good array of comfortable seating. As long as you don’t mind the occasional clatter of pool balls and ping pong bats, this can be a great and quiet place to nap.

Comfort – 9/10

Noise levels – 6/10

Lack of disturbances – 4/10

The grass

 

After the coldest Winter THIS YEAR, and the growing threat of contracting coronavirus, napping on the grass might be the last thing on your mind.

Despite this, be assured that the climate will be getting warmer, seasonally and apocalyptically. There is no better way to take advantage of climate change than by sleeping on the grass and letting the ducks have your lunch. Although – if you’re like me, and have the irrational fear of being run over by a ridable lawnmower – wear something high-vis

Comfort – 6/10

Noise levels – 3/10

Lack of disturbance – 6/10