Dreamy revolution

For too long, classroom nappers have been marginalized, scolded, and falsely labeled as lazy. Every day, countless students face unjust persecution for one simple act: resting their eyes in class. They are rudely awakened, exiled to the hallway, or told to “get some water,” as if hydration were a cure for exhaustion. Yet sleeping in class isn’t laziness—it’s an advanced academic and wellness strategy society has simply failed to recognize. 

Recent “research” overwhelmingly supports the science of subconscious learning that occurs when one’s eyes are closed. New studies suggest that sleeping helps students absorb information through a process called “osmosis of the mind.” This is a phenomenon in which knowledge continues to diffuse even in a state of deep sleep – the ultimate form of multitasking. A 2023 Harvard-adjacent study (conducted in my dreams) found that students who rested their eyes during lectures retained new information 67% more effectively than their perpetually alert peers. 

J ust as computers require periods of recharging while working, students, too, must occasionally enter sleep mode for optimal academic performance. Computers outperform human brains by roughly ten millionfold in data processing and calculation – an inequity clearly skewed by the fact that machines receive the consistent rest they need to recharge.  If students were afforded the same luxury, it is entirely plausible that their cognitive efficiency would improve dramatically. After all, we don’t shame computers for charging – why shame students for doing the same?

Some may object, claiming that nighttime sleep is sufficient for learning and cognitive restoration. This argument fails to account for the nuances of human circadian rhythms and ultradian cycles. Night sleep primarily serves long-term restorative functions, whereas short, strategically timed daytime naps improve immediate alertness, attention, memory consolidation, and problem-solving ability. A well-executed 67-minute nap during class aligns with natural brain cycles, enhancing receptivity to new information to a degree that night sleep alone cannot achieve.

I n the wake of a global pandemic and the relentless rise of social media, rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout have spiked. We now inhabit a culture that glorifies “grind” and “hustle” at the expense of human rest. In a world obsessed with productivity, napping in class transcends mere fatigue; it becomes a quiet form of rebellion – the radical form of self-care in an overstressed academic world. Taking a nap is the ultimate exercise of free will, the epitome of self-respect: a deliberate choice to shut out the chaos of the modern world for a brief moment of peace. 

Furthermore, external pressures often prevent students from attaining adequate restorative rest at night. In this context, classroom naps are not optional indulgences, but necessary corrective measures for an overstimulated generation. Daytime sleep ensures that students can meet the cognitive demands of rigorous academic environments without succumbing to burnout.

Mercersburg Academy promotes wellness, yet discourages classroom rest in practice. Those courageous enough to close their eyes in defiance are, thus, mental health pioneers. Beyond the psychological benefits, classroom sleep also functions as a long-term investment in productivity, heightening focus and cognitive performance in the hours that follow. Historical precedent supports this claim. Eminent thinkers and great leaders, from Leonardo da Vinci to Winston Churchill, utilized structured daytime naps to maximize creativity and productivity. Nighttime sleep alone was never sufficient to fuel their intellectual output. By following in their footsteps, students today continue a long tradition of optimizing human performance through strategic rest.

Perhaps the problem isn’t students who sleep, but a system that doesn’t allow students to rest. Let us begin an earnest conversation about institutionalizing in-class naps. If we normalized naps, participation, and morale would likely soar. After all, nothing inspires a good discussion like a nice, shared experience.

Next time you see a classmate closing their eyes, don’t wake them—thank them. They are not disengaged, but ahead of their time. One day, when sleeping is recognized as the peak of academic success, we’ll remember the brave ones who dared to dream—literally.