At this homework-heavy, extracurricular-heavy school, it seems inevitable that there are days where you’re running off less than five hours of sleep — and when staying awake suddenly feels so difficult that you need a quick nap in class.
When that time comes — don’t worry — in this guide, I’ll teach you to juggle sleeping and studying, because who said you can’t nap and learn at the same time? I won’t disclose if I have or haven’t used the methods, as there is a chance my teachers read The Falcon, but trust me: They stand a good chance of working.
First things first, positioning is key. The back of the class is typically a popular nap spot. Space equals safety. But you can’t get too comfortable there, because some teachers tend to be wary of those in the back and will actually check up on you more. The middle can sometimes be the safer option; you stand out less but are still hidden enough to not get caught.
What is arguably more important than being in the back is being on the opposite side of the teacher in a classroom. For example, if their desk is on the left, you sit on the right. And if their desk is in the middle … well, I can’t help you.
Now let’s talk about body positions. My personal favorite is the Concentration Pose in which you rest your forehead on the inner sides of your hands and look down. Your hands act as a sort of visor for your eyes, ensuring that no one, not even your classmates, will know your eyes are closed.
This method is perfect because not only does no one know you’re sleeping, but they also think you’re critically examining the material. This pose works for almost every spot in class, except maybe directly in front of the teacher.
Next is the Note Taking pose. This one is a little riskier, but it has the virtue of being more comfortable. It’s best to use this pose during lectures, because you can pretend you’re taking notes and your teacher will be focused on the material rather than you.
To nap in this position, you’ll need a notebook. Put your arms out in front of you on your desk and lean the side of your head on your arms. Make sure to keep your notebook on the side your head is turned to, so it looks like you’re studiously jotting down notes.
But what happens if you do get caught? Don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world. In most instances when a student gets caught, they immediately launch into the overwhelming stress they’re under, the endless assignments and how they haven’t slept in days — basically, a sob story with a side of “please don’t report me to my parents.”
Now, while that does work most of the time, if you’ve already used that excuse or if you’re feeling daring, you can always pull the “I wasn’t sleeping, I was meditating” card. Embrace your inner zen and use those MOSAIC skills we’ve learned. Who’s to say you weren’t achieving academic enlightenment?
I hope some of these tips and tricks give you a few extra minutes of sleep during the school week — enough to help your brain reset so that you can actually learn something. Happy napping!
