Ever hit a point in the day where you have some time and want to take a nap before your next class, but your bed is too far away? No worries, I’ve been there too—that’s why I decided to compile a list of all the best locations for all your napping needs no matter where you are on campus!
- Arley D. Cathey Learning Center in Harper Memorial Library
Better known as just Harper, this incredibly quiet library is definitely a favorite study spot among students. But what happens when your eyes suddenly feel heavy and your brain is no longer functional after hours of writing a midterm paper? Well, there’s a reason for all the comfy couches strategically placed across the grand reading room—what better place could there be for some shut-eye? The Harper armchairs are so infamous that countless students have admitted that “you could be sitting, working, and then next thing you know, you’re waking up from a long nap you didn’t realize you took,” especially during the winter when the heat is turned up an extra notch to keep everyone toasty warm. And if you’re looking for somewhere with fewer people and less stifling temperatures, the West Tower extension of the reading room is the perfect spot; its small circle of armchairs is hardly ever filled, there’s no humming from the heating system, and the natural sunlight flooding in from the windows is actually quite refreshing to wake up to. In conclusion: Harper is the prime napping location on the quad, a solid 10/10 for everyone.
- Reva & David Logan Center for the Arts
This is definitely less of a popular choice and more of a personal one, though I find that the Logan Center is a fantastic place to get away from the bustle of the quad for some alone time. Tucked away in the quiet corners of the 2nd floor, you’ll find lounges equipped with tables and chairs for studying purposes, as well as several couches that are perfect for an undisturbed snooze. If you’re more about those super secluded areas, there are also several floors with soft chairs hidden in the back next to the stairs, right under the sun where you’ll for sure stay warm during your sleep (especially since Logan can get chilly at times). Bonus: might hear some nice music in the background as you’re drifting off, 9/10 deserved.
- Joseph Regenstein Library
Probably an unconventional choice; however, I will say that the huge armchairs in the Reg are pretty comfortable to sink into—maybe that’s why I can’t get any real studying done in them. It also helps that the floor grows quieter the further up you go; if you’re hoping for a quick nap and not too picky about background noise, the lower levels are probably a good choice; otherwise, there are tons of secluded spots on the higher levels surrounded in pure silence. Final comments: not my first pick, but a good central location, 6/10.
- The Quad
Okay, this is more of a summertime experience, but I guarantee there’s nothing nicer than a cat nap on the quad. The space is practically endless, you can just pull up on the soft grass and lay down in the sun, maybe have a friend nearby as company, and doze off for as long as you like. If you’re feeling extra fun, there are also plenty of trees scattered around for you to hang a hammock from! (Just hope that no one accidentally trips into you playing frisbee haha.) Anyways, I think you get the idea: summer on the quad is a truly healing experience, 100/10.
- D’Angelo Law Library
First off, let me just say that the D’Angelo Law Library is one of most underrated study spots on campus. The first-floor lounge is super spacious and well-lit, and there’s not too many people hanging around on the weekends—pretty much the perfect place to grind out a paper during finals week. But you know what makes it all even better? That’s right, there are these separate areas just for the huge couches you can take the greatest study break naps on. Since no one is around to judge, all you have to do is set a timer and crash for about twenty minutes, then wake up feeling way more refreshed and ready to get back into study mode. Trust me when I say this got me through my final papers, and if I got A's, then this nap spot deserves an 8/10 at the very least.
So, there you have it— sNAPshots of all the best places on campus for you to doze off without worrying about professors calling you out for sleeping in class. I hope you enjoyed this insider’s guide! After all, you can’t get A's without catching some Z's first.