I think I suffer from narcolepsy. No, seriously, I really, really do. As far back as I can remember, I have had this insane ability to be able to fall asleep at anytime, at any place, no matter what is going on. I'm not talking about your classic falling asleep during a boring history lecture issue. I slept through 75 percent of my American cultures class junior year. I was known as that kid who is always asleep in the back of the classroom. I have even fallen asleep at jazz band practice, while standing up, while playing the vibraphone. (which is a percussion instrument kind of like a xylophone) While I do consider it a major achievement to have basically slept through high school, I can't decide which of the following instances is more impressive: that I have managed to fall asleep while sitting in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, or that I slept through a popular punk rock concert called "A Taste of Chaos." Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I can even sleep through earth-shattering bass sounds.
While I was able most nights during high school to get eight hours of sleep, this is most certainly not the case at Hopkins. Personally, I can't remember the last time I went to bed before three in the morning. However, the body can only take so much sleep deprivation before you have to give into it. Apparently, my body can't handle sleep deprivation at all, or I would've stayed awake during my 10 a.m. class today. Since I consider myself to be an authority on this subject, here is my list of the top 10 places to fall asleep on campus. They've all been thoroughly tested, I assure you.
10. During a fewer-than-15-person class. This isn't really a location, but still, if you're planning on sleeping through a class, it needs to be a class where the teacher is not going to realize it. Three hundred-person lecture classes are good for this. Eight-person language classes where you need to be able to respond are not. You will not get good sleep, and you will not get a good participation grade - a bad situation all around.
9. Remsen 1 and 101. The chairs are not remotely comfortable in Remsen, but it's probably where I do my best sleeping. It's also bad because I've had all my classes there that were the most important ones to stay awake during (like Calc II, Gen Chem II, Orgo, etc.) I'll always regret falling asleep during them, but there's nothing like listening to a lecture on molecules/vectors/genes to cure a bout of insomnia.
8. Cubicles on D-level. A great place if you need silence in order to sleep, but what happens if you start to snore? Trouble will certainly ensue.
7. The couches on M-level. A pretty good place because, after all, couches are good for sleeping. They are not that great, though, because people are constantly walking in and out of the library, so the cold air from the opening door will hit you in the face and disturb your slumber. The couches are also not that long and people will often wake you because they want to hold a study group. A viable place, sure, but certainly not the best one.
6. Mudd 26. I napped through many Chem I lectures in here. The comfort level of the chairs is fairly high, as far as those kind of chairs go. Really, the only thing I don't like about Mudd is the staircase leading down to room 26, seeing as how I almost broke my leg on it. All in all, Mudd is a good napping ground.
5. Hodson 110. One of my favorite places, minus the fact that it's somewhat far from my dorm. The chairs are basically the same as in Mudd, but you're much less likely to kill yourself going down the stairs.
4. The Hut. The circular part where the stained glass windows are. These chairs are more comfortable than your basic straight backed ones but not as comfortable as couches. Also, the Hut is not air conditioned, which is a problem when you need a place to nap after your summer courses.
3. Gilman couches. The ones in the lobby when you first walk in from the main entrance. These couches are very comfortable but are usually already taken by the time I get there. It's usually fairly quiet there, too, which is nice. It's also centrally located for when you have to get up. However, with all the construction going on now, the couches and the Hut might not be the best places.
2. Levering couches by Pura Vida. I love these couches. They're comfortable and near a warm fireplace. As an added bonus, they're right next to Pura Vida when you need caffeine to wake up! Or you could go right downstairs to get food. There are also the computers right there if you need them for some reason.
1. Beds. I think everyone can agree that a bed is the best place to sleep, be it in your own bed or someone else's. Frankly, I wish I had more time to spend in mine. I miss it dearly. Alas, there is always more work to be done, and more classes during which you should try to stay awake.
