These napping pods are a waste of our tuition

These futuristic shiny spheres are here to ‘help’ you?

Recently two napping pods were placed in the University Center and Student Center to help students recharge and de-stress.

What are napping pods? Literally a metal pod that you nap in.

At first I thought, “Okay cool, no more test crammers putting chairs together in the library in order to build an on-campus bed during finals week.”

But then I read that these pods were $9,000 — each.

Students are allowed 20 minutes each in the napping pods while tranquil music and light shows are surrounding you.

Side note: Is it just me, or does it take more than 20 minutes just to fall asleep, let alone take a full nap?

The pods are free to use but in theory, your tuition paid for it.

It has been scientifically proven “turning off” your brain with a mid-day 20-minute nap can actually boost student productivity levels and combat against stress and anxiety. This small break from studies and extra curricular activities can also boost your overall alertness, helping you to perform better both socially and academically.

As I stood in the Student Center and watched multiple students use the contraption, I heard unexpected comments coming from students.

“I feel awkward in there,” one girl said as she stepped out of it.

The next student who used it said, “Well that was pointless, and now I miss my bed even more.”

The third and last student I witnessed did have a positive experience. He said he felt as if the world stopped for a couple of minutes, and if you can clear your head of thoughts on a deep enough level, it is overall enjoyable.

But if you’re an anxiety filled person like me, I could personally never clear my head of all thoughts, especially when I know surrounding the outside of this metal sphere is a world of books, tests, and oh yeah, about 30 other students watching me try to take a nap in public.

I admit these pods are useful to have around campus, but I cannot rationalize UM’s funding going towards this type of technology.

Imagine the things that we could have instead:

  • Perhaps year-round hammocks rather than just during midterms and finals?
  • Have some of our expensive textbooks bought for us?
  • Better transportation around campus?
  • Better food options on campus? This idea would actually bring the school even more revenue.
  • Daily/weekly transportation to places that actually matter (South Beach, Wynwood)?

Or just overall, deduct the money from our tuition costs. I understand that Miami is all about excess, but in my opinion at least, we don’t want these badly enough to have our funding funneled into them.

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