NapSpot: Muse

Muse

ahhhh muse. Everyone's favourite study/chill out zone/ eating hub (other than the actual hub). It is also a prime napping environment with plenty of hidden areas and closed off sections for you to rest your tired head. This area has the added benefit of super comfy beanbags and cushiony chairs and sometimes even soundproof rooms! Just remember, try not to take up too much room from the actual hard working students who are there to study. Its an easy way to make enemies... 

Go to the coloured section for the comfiest seats! Those little orange pods are highly recommended.


Writer -
Katherine McArthur

MacqNap Nap Spots - The Toilets!

Napping in the Toilets

Hey guys Alex here with a blog about a brand new, innovative and ingenious napping spot that was hidden right under our noses - The toilets.

 I known this may sound preposterous and like an awful napping spot mostly due to the poor condition of public toilets, or many toilets in work spaces that are damaged or cared for poorly but if you can find a toilet still in one piece and with some air ventilation and possibly not smelling awful. then it can be a great place to nap. One could imagine a clean and properly maintained toilet as a sleeping room, enough space to sleep, enough privacy to keep you from being disturbed by co-workers, students and even your boss(es).

The toilets are basically little cubical's with seats and 4 walls surrounding the sleepers with often enough space to lean your head to the sides of the wall (just make sure to check and clean the walls before smothering your face into anything on them).  Another benefit of using the toilets as sleeping places is that often, no one expects you to be sleeping in them. Therefore you are hidden from anyone who would bug you to get back to work. One thing  I highly suggest when sleeping in a toilet cubical is to use the toilet paper (if any) as a cousin for resting your head, as well as a good, soft blind fold to cover your eyes. Toilet paper can also be used to block awful smells by sticking some rolled up toilet paper into your nose. 

So if you are ever feeling sleepy, tired or bored out of your mind, just tell your boss, friends or family that you are in need of the toilets and you can easily sleep soundly without anyone questioning whether you were doing anything outside of your regular toilet business. 

Writer:
Aleksandar Bjelosevic
aleksandar.bjelosevic@students.mq.edu.au 

Image:
http://numbertwoguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/wan2.png

NapSpot: Lighthouse Theatre Couch

Location: Lighthouse Theatre W11A, Foyer

This couch is one of the comfiest nap spots I have found during my time on campus. It is soft, cushiony and plush and great for everybody. It's situated within the lighthouse theatre, meaning it's harder to find a time when it is open and you can only really get in if you know the right people. But if you are blessed with that position, then this nap spot is an absolute jewel. It's secluded location means that it is very quiet and free from the effects of the weather. That means it's guaranteed you will not get cold, hot or be effected by the wind.

Being indoors, there are a bunch of power points nearby so that you can charge your phone whilst you snooze. The ultimate plus about this spot is that there is a kitchen available for use nearby. You can microwave your food and get a drink.

However, when the theatre is in use, the theatre is very loud and not suitable for sleeping or getting any work done, also you will most definitely be kicked out and when it's completely empty, it's locked.

Overall, it's a fantastic spot only if you have access to it. 4/5 stars.

Writer:
Julia Gapon
julia.gapon@students.mq.edu.auhttps://twitter.com/MacqNap

NapSpot: The Lake

The Lake

LOOK AT THIS! LOOK AT THE SUNSHINE! AMAZING!!!!

The lake is the perfect napping  environment on a beautiful sunny day! Go soak up that vitamin D and get a tan by the sunning Macquarie Lake. All you need is soft, cushiony laptop case or bag or even a rolled up jacket and you're set! Nap with a friend for extra security of your belongings and play some music to hep with your tranquil experience. This spot is ideal for a midday break as you wont be disturbed by other nappers. Beware of birds though. This spot is notorious for poop.

Writer -
Katherine McArthur

MacqNap Spots - Napping during lectures?

MacqNap Spots - Sleeping in lectures?

Have you ever fallen asleep in your lecture? Well I probably have many numerous times. Although my argument for this is if you aren't learning anything in your lectures, may as well spend the time wisely towards your health. Although of course come back and watch your lectures online when you aren't so tired so you dont get left behind. Either way if you do fall asleep in your lectures, well...At least you turned up.

Hey Alex here with another blog about sleeping. In this blog I'll be talking about sleeping in your lectures. Lets face it, we have done it - Or thought about it- mostly because of lectures being boring or simply not learning anything therefore putting your energy to better use. But fear not, sleeping in lectures may well be one of the best places to sleep in the University, at least according to my experience.

There really isn't much to say to or when you wish to sleep in a lecture. Which is why its one of the best places to nap really. All you might need to do is secure your bag, or if you have friends that want to learn you can get them to look after your things. Although one thing you would need to remember is to sleep properly. This refers back to my other blog about sleeping properly (with reference to sleeping posture in particular). My recommendation would be to get comfortable and make sure your head is not hanging downwards as you will be putting stress on your neck and after pro longed periods of time, this can cause some pain and discomfort. Therefore I recommend you cross your arms and if you can, on the little tables each seat has, nicely rest your arms in a crossed form with your head over them .

Lectures truly are in my opinion one of the best places to sleep while at Uni. Although the downfalls may be in the lecturer joking about you, or even waking you up to make fun of you. But if the lecturer does choose to let you sleep, you may have two to four hours of sleep to catch up on.

Writer:
Aleksandar Bjelosevic
aleksandar.bjelosevic@students.mq.edu.au 

Image : http://au.reachout.com/-/media/images/articles/man-sleeping-in-lecture.jpg?mw=2
80&hash=2B07949E844A0FAEC0E49E5E1B5129D74BB3DDCD

NapSpot: Macquarie Theatre Wall-Holes

Location: Macquarie Theatre W2.4A - First floor, right next to lecture hall entrance

Now that we're back to uni with the end of the holidays, that means that we're back to napping at uni and taking advantage of all the cosy spaces. In my first week back at uni, I discovered this not-so-hidden beauty when waiting for my tutorial to start upstairs. 

Immediately, there are some great pluses to napping here, the padding is surprisingly comfortable and there is plenty of room to stretch out your legs. The vibrant red colour is very eye-catching and the whole little 'cubicle' is aesthetically pleasing, new and modern. It feels like you're napping in style. Also, if you lie across it completely, you achieve the illusion of privacy as you face a wall and are cradled by three wall surfaces. When there are no classes, this corridor is usually very empty. The opposing side of the corridor has large glass windows looking out into the beautiful greenery also welcome in a large amount of sunshine, perfect for a spring nap. Sure there are many people passing the windows outside but people rarely look into them so your privacy is somewhat secured.

Unfortunately, a lot of downsides arise from napping here. First of all, the large opposing glass windows are great, but they let in so much light so you don't get any of that 'nap mood lighting'. Also, the red looks great and all but if you know your nap colours, and I sure do, blue is ideal to evoke a sleepy mood. Red, not so much. Of course the biggest problem I have with this spot is the fact that there aren't any power points nearby so you're not gonna want to spend much time here if your phone is on low battery. But the biggest problem by far is the fact that it is immediately next to the main entrance to the biggest and newest lecture hall in Macquarie uni. I'm sure you're not going to want to wake up to hundreds of people standing beside you as you nap away and they await their lecture. Kind of awkward. 

I think this spot is great for relaxing, it's comfy, looks good and very cosy with a great illusion of privacy. However, it's not the kind of spot where you want to let your guard down and fall asleep because you could wake up to a semi-awkward situation.

I give it a total of 3 out of 5 stars.

Writer:
Julia Gapon
julia.gapon@students.mq.edu.auhttps://twitter.com/MacqNap

Napping Know-how for Students

I'm sure we have all taken a nap here and there sometimes because we're bored or sometimes cause we really need it and can't fight to stay awake any longer. 

There are so many hidden facts about napping that a lot of people don't know..


1. Napping makes you smarter
Some may find this hard to believe but there are studies that states that napping for a little as an hour allows your brain to reset you short-term memory and helps you learn more easily after you wake up.

2. All-nighters
Without a doubt students have stayed up all night to complete an assignment they may have very likely left last minute or left studying for an exam till the day before. Choosing not to sleep and to cram reduces the ability to retain information by 40%! 

Why even bother I say??

3. Napping before a planned all-nighter
So you've accepted the fact you left something last minute and now you have to face the consequences of not sleeping, try a short nap before the long hard night ahead it will assist you in staying alert for up to 10 hours after.

The power of napping is amazing!

4. Picking the right time
Picking the right time to nap is important so that it doesn't interfere with your nighttime sleep, best time is usually in the early afternoon after lunch.

5. Hour naps are the go-to
60 minutes of napping improves your alertness for 10hrs - However naps over 20-30mins to risk the chance of feeling groggy for half and hour to an hour after the nap.

6. A mix of caffeine 
Here's a cool tip, if you really need that boost of energy try drinking some caffeine right before you nap for 20-30mins which is the approximate time it takes for it to kick in and once you wake you will feel refreshed and ready to tackle your day!

7. Don't interfere with the night's sleep
Approximate time you want to be pushing your nap to is five hours before bedtime without risking being able to fall asleep at night

Writer - Lousie Le

Images
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=napping+interesting+facts&biw=875&bih=849&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjhoNSQq8fPAhWHj5QKHVaFD1kQ_AUIBigB&dpr=1.1#imgrc=rGBNZKjWSzAD4M%3A