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Napping

College students are among the most sleep-deprived people. Experts recommend getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night, but sometimes your schedule may not allow you to get a full night's sleep. While napping is not a replacement for sleep, it can help make up for lost sleep and improve your cognitive function, mood, and memory.

Benefits of Napping

  • Increased alertness and focus
  • Higher energy levels throughout the day
  • Increased motor performance (such as reaction time) and reduced mistakes and accidents
  • Decreased moodiness

Napping Tips

  • Keep naps short and sweet. A power nap of 20-30 minutes can renew attention span and refresh the body. Long naps can disrupt your ability to get restful sleep later on. Set your cell phone alarm to wake you up.
  • Schedule time for naps, such as in between classes or mid-way through a study session.
  • It's nap time, but you can't fall asleep. Write the word "yawn" on a piece of paper 10 times and read over it. It sounds silly, but it works for many people!
  • Security. How can you keep an eye on your stuff with your eyes closed? If you are napping somewhere other than your room, use your backpack as a pillow and make sure nothing valuable is sitting out. Wrapping your arms around your backpack can also be comfortable for a quick nap.
  • Stretch before and after your nap. It will help you feel better all day.
  • If insomnia is an issue for you, try not taking naps. Keep a sleep diary for two weeks to help identify what is preventing you from getting restful sleep. Consult your healthcare provider or a counselor if problems persist.

Healthyhorns Nap Map

This map represents the best napping spots on campus, as voted on by UT students! Use this map to locate your optimal napping spot. Remember to use caution when picking a nap spot and always keep your belongings with you.

Click on each location for photos and more details. Click on "more" to see the street view of the building.


View Healthyhorns Nap Map in a larger map

Perry Castaneda Library (PCL)
Rated #1 by students surveyed! By far the most popular napping spot on campus. Quiet, comfortable, secluded... what more could you want? The shape of the building creates cozy corners and every floor has couches, chairs, and cubicles. It gets quieter as you go up, with the first level being moderately noisy and the 6th level being almost silent. Be courteous and set your alarm to vibrate!

Student Services Building (SSB)
Comfy couches and chairs on the first, second, and third floors. Stop by the Forty Acres Pharmacy after your snooze for some hydration and a protein-packed snack.

The Turtle Pond
Napping in the grass can be peaceful and relaxing. Grab a shady spot (avoid sunburn!) and put on some headphones or earplugs and snooze in nature.

The Union (UNB)
Head upstairs for some truly excellent napping conditions. The third floor has rooms with nice ambiance, such as the Governor's Room and the Sinclair Suite. These are quiet areas with upholstered couches (they look fancy, but come on in!). The fourth floor has a few couches and cubicles. It is quiet but not silent.

Student Activities Center (SAC)
The upper floors have comfortable chairs and couches. There is a grad student lounge as well that is very sound-insulated. You can also get a snack before or after your nap in the dining area on the main floor.

Mezes Building and Courtyards (MEZ)
The second floor of Mezes lets out onto a balcony that overlooks a grassy courtyard. Two courtyards surround Mezes, which are both also very peaceful outdoor napping spots.

Architecture Library (BTL)
Take the gorgeous spiral staircase in either direction for two totally different napping experiences. Upstairs offers silent study with elegant furniture (set your phone to vibrate!). Downstairs are small tables where food is allowed and some quiet talking. The basement hallway has two couches and is dimly lit.

Burdine Hall (BUR)
If you like a warm place to nap and have a sweatshirt to use as cushioning, the wooden benches in the side entrance are sunny and cozy.

The Alumni Center
Comfy leather furniture! You can also grab a coffee and a water at the Texas EXpresso Cafe when you wake up to help give you a boost.

Jesse H. Jones Communication Center (CMA)
Cubicles and couches in the lobby, Chairs and wooden benches in the basement. Moderately quiet and the basement is lit dimly.

Jester (JES)
The third floor has a silent study space (make sure your phone is on vibrate). The hallway next to it is lined with couches and is fairly quiet as well.

South Mall Lawn
Many students choose to nap on this expansive area of grass. The shade is best before 11 am and after 2 pm. Bring a blanket, use your backpack as a pillow, and don't forget sunscreen!

Flawn Academic Center (FAC)
Couches and chairs on the first floor are popular places for a quick nap. There is moderate background noise, so bring earplugs. The couch next to the fireplace is especially relaxing!

Norman Hackerman Building (NHB)
Rainbow couch and a wooden bench inside and plenty of seating outside with booths in the shade.

The Stadium
Just kidding! It may not be a great place to nap, but it's a great place to show school pride. Hook 'Em!

Clark Field
Plenty of shady space on this gently sloping lawn!

The Tower/The Main Building
The Life Sciences Library is divided into quiet wings with comfortable chairs. The stairwells also have benches and are relatively quiet between classes.


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