Being a college student means balancing a hectic schedule of lectures, club meetings, study sessions and part-time jobs, all while still somehow finding time for a social life. Whether you were working on an essay or bar hopping downtown, waking up at 8 a.m. for class after crawling into bed at 2 a.m. is not uncommon. Eventually, weariness creeps up to you: your body cries for rest, and your go-to energy drink just isn’t cutting it anymore. That’s when the alluring but dangerous thought of napping starts to surface.
Napping in college is not as easy as collapsing onto your bed between courses. Timing is everything. Sleep too long and you wake up disoriented and foggy. Nap too late and you run the risk of compromising your regular nighttime sleep. When then is the perfect moment? How long should your nap be? How do you prevent a ten-minute power nap from becoming a three-hour coma?
That’s where we come in; VALLEY is here with the perfect college nap guide.
Understand Your Nap Types
It is important to note naps are not all equal. Here is a summary of the most efficient nap durations:
10 to 20 minutes: the traditional power nap. This is ideal for a fast refresh, increasing alertness as well as concentration without the sleepy feel consequence.
30 minutes of rest is also known as the groggy nap. Your body is mid-sleep cycle, so you may wake up feeling worse than before. Though, this nap does improve learning and memory.
60 minutes helps with memory and learning, but be warned—waking up mid-REM can leave you feeling disoriented.
The ideal time to nap is between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Your body normally feels less energetic at this time and napping too late in the day can interfere with your evening sleep, hence aggravating the cycle of weariness.
Establish the Scene
It is important to nap correctly if you choose to. Often a nap can turn into a half hour of scrolling on social media. Stay in the dark. Close your blinds or wear an eye mask. Stay silent: A white noise app or noise-canceling headphones can assist. Get comfortable, but not too much. Your goal is to unwind, not drift into a sleep that extends into the night. Set an alarm! Set a timer for the precise amount of time you wish to nap—plus perhaps five minutes to drift out. Especially if you’re tired, don’t rely on your body to wake up organically. Snoozing might pull you further into the sleep cycle and make recovery more difficult.
You can even have a cup of coffee just before your nap. Caffeine kicks in in roughly 20 minutes, hence the coffee begins to function by the time your power nap finishes. You will awaken feeling twice as revitalized. Science, sweetheart.
Napping is deliberate, not lazy. A nice nap might be your hidden weapon at college, where success or enjoyment frequently comes at the expense of sleep. Remember: smart napping is more important than length. The next time you find yourself torn between a study session and complete exhaustion, take a breath, set an alarm and get some rest. Your body—and your GPA—will appreciate you.
Did VALLEY’s tips and tricks work for you? Let us know @VALLEYMag on Instagram!
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