Coming to college is a stressful experience. With so many things demanding attention, many students
cut out sleep in order to do more of the activities they love, which can lead to a cycle of all-nighters that
strains even the most dedicated students.

Most students are trapped on campus all day, so when they have breaks between classes they cannot
use it to sleep. Enter the power nap, a 10-30 minute hiatus that can keep you moving through those late afternoons. This is your one-stop shop for napping spots on campus, so next time you have an hour break, you can use the time for its full napping potential. 

These spots have all been tested and are listed here in no particular order. To help you find the best spot for you, each one has a location, short description, and score; this score is 0-4 and is based on the four basic nap requirements: comfort, (size and softness) convenience of location, environment, (foot traffic, noise level, etc.) and privacy.

1. Hallway Couches, 3rd floor,  South Engineering Research Complex (SERC)
These couches are along the hallway facing Shelby Hall. They get credit for comfort and
environment, as the third floor of the SERC does not have classes and is generally quiet. Though
they lose points for their public location and lack of convenience for students who are not
engineering or science majors, these comfy benches can be the perfect spot to grab a few
minutes of sleep between your Chem lecture and Bio lab.
Score: 2

2. Benches, 1st floor, H.M. Comer
These bright red benches are cots in disguise. A little shorter than a standard twin bed, the
benches are outside Room 126, which is down the hall to the right from the front entrance. They
lose points for subpar environment and lack of convenience and privacy, but are comfortable
enough to be worth the trek for a nap, especially if it isn’t during a class change when there are
more students around.
Score: 1

3. Oasis, 1st floor, Tom Bevill Energy, Mineral, and Materials Science Research Building
This little-known building next to H.M. Comer is a treasure trove of napping locations. One is
called the Oasis: it’s a small area in the middle of the first floor that has several benches and
fountains, live plants, walkways, and a chess table. Though not ideal for napping specifically, this
is a great spot to relax and unwind, as it is usually empty and always quiet.
Score: 2

4. Balcony lounge, 2nd floor, Tom Bevill Energy, Mineral, and Materials Science Research Building
Also in Bevill, this balcony is located a floor above and spans over the middle of the Oasis. It is
quiet and peaceful, as this floor houses only professor and graduate student offices. Its red
leather couches and the room’s filtered sunlight make it easy to stretch out and doze off.
Score: 3

5. Map Library couch, 3rd floor, Farrah Hall
On the other side of campus, Farrah Hall has another hidden gem of campus: the third floor map
library. This is an incredible resource for all students, geography majors or otherwise, and is
home to a great napping couch. The couch is old, comfortable, and tucked out of view. This and
the peace and quiet of the library make this spot one of the best on the list.
Score: 3

6. Woods Quad
More conveniently located than Farrah Hall or the engineering quad is Woods Quad, a smaller
green space within Manly Hall, next to Gorgas Library. When the weather is nice, this quad,
which is home to the art department, the Department of Gender and Women’s Studies, and
more, is a great place to lie in the grass and enjoy the ambience of one of the oldest and most
beautiful places on campus. This spot gets a lower score because it does require lying in the
grass and is only available during warm, pleasant weather.
Score: 2

7. Upper floors, Gorgas Library
The upper floors of any of the five libraries on campus are great for grabbing some quick shut-
eye, because all libraries have a rule: the higher you go, the quieter you have to be. Gorgas
Library’s upper floors are the best candidates for a nap because they are centrally located and
larger, which means more nooks and crannies for you to curl up in whenever you have a spare
moment.
Score: 3.5

8. Partition armchairs, 1st floor, Gorgas Library
This might be the best spot on the list. It is centrally located, comfortable, secluded, and
generally quiet. These green armchairs are tucked behind the wall of Mac computers in the back
right corner of Gorgas’ first floor computer lab. You can curl up in one of the chairs or push two
together to make a bed. At any time on any given day, at least one person can be found napping
in this hidden area.
Score: 4

9. Friend’s couch
A great option for upperclassmen is to find a friend who lives on campus. These can be a life-
saver if the friend is home and lets you crash on their couch for an hour. The proximity of the
dorms and privacy of a friend’s living room makes this a solid choice for anyone in need of a
slightly longer nap to get through the day.
Score: 4

10. Honestly, basically anywhere

The beauty of college is that we are all equally stressed and exhausted. This means now is one of the few times when public napping is acceptable, so take advantage of it. A chair in Lloyd, a bench in Shelby or even a patch of grass on the Quad are all candidates for your next power nap.