Friday, April 8, 2011

Students flock to quiet room to rest between classes

 Napping society at rest
Student at rest during the Napping Society's inaugural event in the Rowell Room

(January 27, 2011) First-year law student Patrick Hartford is taking a page out of the Latin life, and promoting a little siesta time for everyone.

The newly launched Napping Society, founded by Hartford, aims to help his fellow students catch up on some much needed sleep in between studying and classes.

"First-year students have a full day of classes, plus studying afterwards at the library until 11 pm. You can't get anything done if you're tired," says Hartford. "You end up reading the same paragraph over and over again."

Hartford applied to the Students Law Society for funds to purchase yoga mats, and says he was happily surprised when they approved the Napping Society.  The SLS encouraged him to hold some events to gauge student interest.

Apparently, his colleagues thought it was a great idea too, as 19 of them showed up at the Napping Society's launch Jan. 26, in the Rowell Room to nap and rest between four and 7 pm.

He hopes to regularly book smaller rooms at the law school over the noon hour and at 3 pm, stocked with yoga mats if the demand warrants. He's been spreading the idea through Facebook and Headnotes. His friends at other law schools have also expressed interest about starting a Napping Society.

"The reaction has been very positive," says Hartford. "A half-hour nap can make you much more efficient in your studying."

By Lucianna Ciccocioppo