Ka Leo O Hawaii

Issue date: 12/10/07 Section: Mixed Plate

Media Credit: Taylor Hall These mushrooms have sprouted up over the weekend with the rain; make sure not to sleep on these.

Media Credit: Taylor Hall The second floor of Sinclair Library is a nice sleepy place with couches, if they're free.

Media Credit: Taylor Hall The bamboo "jungle" sweeps across the grounds of the Art Building, creating an organic getaway in the middle of campus.

The fall semester is almost over. The last day of instruction has come and gone, leaving students with a temporary sigh of relief. As of today, finals week officially begins.

A 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. religion final, followed immediately by an economics final from 9:45 to 11:45, then a break until a math final from 2:15 to 4:15 p.m. - sound like your schedule? After that economics final, your caffeine from your all-nighter's three Red Bulls runs out, and you realize reaching for a cup of joe might not be in your best interest. It's time to consider taking the "power nap."

In a report from CNN.com via the Mayo Clinic, "A short power nap - about 15 to 20 minutes - may increase your level of alertness, enhance your productivity and improve your mood."

Listed below are a few choice spots to lay your head down and catch some Zs. One word of advice to all power nappers: Make sure to set your phone alarm with time enough to shake the grogginess off, review some notes and run to your final in time to get the seat you want. If you are outdoors, the louder your alarm is, the better. If indoors, switch your phone to soft or vibrate and put it in your hand or next to your head.

An outdoor dreamland

When you think of sleeping, you might not think of the great outdoors, but the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa campus has choice outdoor sleeping areas. Bring a backpack to put under your head and a mat or blanket to lie on if you're in the grass. If you're afraid of people recognizing you when you're passed out, go incognito by putting a sweater over your face or disguise yourself with sunglasses.

The Sustainability Courtyard: Depending on the time of day, it might be hard to find a table to lay your head on. Fortunately, there are two large, flat, stage-like areas, one wood and one made of dirt covered with soft grass. Stretch out and enjoy the trees and sky.

First floor outside Kuykendall Hall (on the other side of the Sustainability Courtyard): There are several benches to lie down on, both separate from and connected to the building. There is also another large, flat, stage-like area to stretch out on. Shaded underneath trees, you won't be able to see much sky, but the sun will definitely be out of your face.

The Art Building: Lie on a bench and let the sound of the wind rustling the bamboo branches lull you to sleep. If you close your eyes, it will sound like you're lying in the middle of a bamboo ocean.

The grassy area between Hawai'i Hall and the School of Architecture: This is the best place to lie in the sun or beneath a shady tree. Although a straw mat or blanket is recommended to avoid getting your clothes dirty, pick a nice spot and be sure to set your alarm, otherwise you'll think you're lying on the beach.

An indoor cloud nine

If the great outdoors are too intimidating and you're in search of quieter, sunless areas of slumber, look no further.

Campus Center computer lab and lounge: Follow the staircase above SUBWAY and turn right and you'll find a nook filled with couches and computers in room 36 of Campus Center. Couches are limited, so come early. If you don't mind the keyboards clicking in the background, set an alarm and get ready for comfort. However, remember that it's also a computer lab - don't set your alarm's volume too high or you'll risk getting nasty looks.

Campus Center, in front of the big TV: The wooden bleachers are a prime location for lying down, and with plenty of room for everyone, you will most always find a spot. If you're lucky, you'll even be able to claim one of the table areas early in the morning or late in the afternoon and push the chairs together to make a mini-bed.

Hamilton Library: The first and third floors in Hamilton Library are excellent spots for snoozing. The first floor is the coldest, so don't go without a sweater. Adjacent to one of the computer stations are rows of soft lounge chairs. If you're really tired, you won't mind the person who is sitting across from you reading a book. The third floor allows for the most privacy, with its cubicle-like, cubbyhole desks. Just grab a seat near the window or in the back and lay your head down for a good ol' elementary-style nap.

Sinclair Library: Without air conditioning, this library's temperature is just right. Stop by the Wong Audiovisual Center and fall asleep in front of the TV like you do at home. Grab a desk anywhere on the second floor - near the window is the most private.

Best of luck with finals, power nappers.

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