Infinite Ink

Napping in college

Even though I'm on vacation, I'm recalling college times, so bear with me. I became a big napper in college. Don't get me wrong: I didn't say that I "was" a big napper. I "became" one.

My first question on the day of orientation was: "Where's the masjid?" At the time, I had little experience of praying in a masjid. I soon picked up plenty of masjid tips and tricks, because there was no way I could catch Zuhr on weekdays; college got off at four.

One of the masjid tips was: you can sleep in the masjid! Lying down and all! In college! This was a huge revelation to me. In those days, I used to get in the college bus at around quarter to seven, and get home at five-thirty or six. That's a lot of time to spend with your back straight in a chair. (We had back-to-back classes and labs, which is why I mostly slouched in my chair instead of sitting straight. Go ahead, scold me for it. The rest of the world does.)

I saw some girls lying flat out in the masjid, behind the praying rows. I mustered the courage to try it out one day. It was cool. It wasn't like a bed, of course, and if you've ever stretched out flat on a carpet you'll have some idea of what it was like. I managed to doze in that position. Good thing I didn't fall fast asleep. I would have missed my bus!

When did I do this napping, you ask? I started it some time in third year, in break time. In final year, I sometimes skipped class to nap, and that was because they put a proper bed (with a mattress and a bed frame) in the girls' common room. That was paradise. I was always annoyed if someone was just sitting on it and chattering away. If someone else was occupying it by actually sleeping, I would totally approve. "I feel you, sister!" would be my reaction.

Have you ever napped or slept at school or work? How did it happen and what was it like?