Rebecca Fuchs ’26 (she/they, they/she) is a junior transfer student prospectively majoring in finance and minoring in environmental science and sustainability at the College. This semester, they’re also an intern for The Flat Hat and are active as a Shadow Analyst for Salesforce in the Mason Investment Club (MIC) as well as with Williamsburg Engagement (W.E.) at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. When they’re trying not to fall asleep in class, you can email them at rafuchs@wm.edu.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own.
Good afternoon, fellow overworked and sleep-deprived students of William and Mary. Midterms are here, grades are looming and sleep? It’s that long-lost friend we haven’t seen since syllabus week. But fear not, because today, I’m here to make a groundbreaking declaration: I just declared my major in napping, and it’s time you do, too.
Yes, you read that right! While everyone else is signing up for another club they can’t handle, I’ve decided to invest in the one thing no one tells you is essential for success: rest. And no, I’m not talking about the “eight hours of sleep” myth we laugh at during exam week. I mean the power of the nap — those sweet, life-saving micro-slumbers that keep us going when even Starbucks won’t cut it.
If there’s one thing twamps excel at, it’s overloading our schedules, and wearing exhaustion as a badge of honor. Take me in Intro to Environmental Science in Small Hall: 150 students, three professors and there I was, teetering between “I’m focused…” and “zzzzzz… huh??” One professor even pulled me aside later to ask if I was okay. The truth? It wasn’t the class — it was the lack of naps.
We brag about pulling all-nighters in Earl Gregg Swem Library like they’re some rite of passage, as if wearing our eye bags to Sadler brunch is a competition. But why? Why are we glorifying a lifestyle that leaves us on the verge of collapse? It’s worth noting that Swem is no longer open 24 hours due to student well-being concerns — now it closes at midnight during the week, and at 8 p.m. on weekends. Sure, there’s still a small 24-hour room past Column 15, but does that mean we should keep pushing ourselves to the limit?
Somewhere along the line, we started confusing “success” with “busyness.”
We’ve all heard it: “Yeah, I was up until 3 a.m. finishing that paper in GGV,” or, “I’ve only had five hours of sleep this week, but I’ll grab a Nitro Cold Brew from Column 15.” We nod in solidarity, but aren’t we all wondering if there’s a better way to handle college?
Well, there is. It’s called taking a nap.
Before you roll your eyes, hear me out. Napping isn’t just for toddlers, or that one guy who always dozes off in the back of your 8 a.m. lecture. Napping is a science-backed, productivity-boosting tool that more of us need to embrace. According to the National Sleep Foundation, even a short 20-30 minute nap can boost mood, alertness and performance — exactly what we need when those all-nighters start catching up.
It’s not just about staying awake in class. The American College Health Association’s 2023 Report found poor sleep is linked to increased stress, anxiety and depression among college students. So really, by prioritizing rest, we’re not just avoiding burnout — we’re taking care of our mental health, too.
I’m not suggesting we sleep our way to graduation (though tempting). But I am suggesting we rethink self-care. Burning out isn’t a sign of hard work; it’s a sign something must give. And that something might be the unrealistic expectation that we can push through assignments and exams without ever stopping to recharge.
Let’s talk logistics. Where does one nap on campus? William and Mary offers plenty of prime napping spots if you know where to look. The Sadler couches? Classic. Swem’s reading room? Perfect when the lights are dimmed. For the adventurous: the Sunken Garden — just bring a blanket. If you’re looking for something quieter, try the comfy chairs in the Mason Business School atrium.
The message is clear: We need to stop treating rest like a luxury and start seeing it as a necessity.
This isn’t just about sleep — it’s about challenging hustle culture. We’ve become so obsessed with productivity that we’ve forgotten how to rest. We juggle internships, extracurriculars and double majors, pretending we can survive on caffeine and adrenaline. But newsflash: that’s not sustainable. Eventually, the crash comes — and trust me, it’s not pretty. (I’ve already seen friends nodding off at Sadler mid-brunch.)
So, what if, instead of pushing ourselves to exhaustion, we embraced napping as part of our self-care? What if we normalized taking breaks, and actually listened to our bodies? Imagine the revolution. We could be the generation that says, “No more burnout!” and proudly proclaims, “I’m majoring in napping — and I’m thriving.”
No, napping won’t solve all your problems. It won’t write your papers or ace your exams. But it will give you the energy to tackle those challenges without feeling like a zombie. And isn’t that worth a few minutes of shut-eye?
Here’s my challenge: the next time you feel that midday slump in Ewell Hall or while cramming for an exam in the Integrated Science Center, don’t fight it. Find a quiet corner, set a 20-minute alarm and embrace the nap. Your mental health and well-being are worth more than any late-night cram session.
And who knows? Maybe one day, napping will be an official major at William & Mary. But until then, feel free to stop by the Registrar’s office and declare your ‘major in napping.’ (You might get a few raised eyebrows, but trust me, it’s worth it.) After all, some majors prepare you for a career — this one prepares you for life. Now, let’s all be good Griffins, and take a nap today!
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a nap to take.