Winter is here, and with it comes the cold. The ice and snow can be hard to trek through on the way to classes, especially when the wind blows. With the coldness, comes the desire to hibernate along with lack of motivation to go to class. Many students choose to sleep instead of going to class to avoid the cold. After a long night of doing homework in a warm, comfortable computer lab, sometimes getting up in the morning is the hardest part of the day. But it’s always easier to get up in the morning when there’s something exciting to look forward to.

Now imagine always having a nap time to look forward to. For students like those that attend Greenwich High School in Greenwich, Connecticut, this has become reality. Every Monday evening after school about twenty students gather for a twenty-minute power nap. That’s right — the Power Nap Club.

The club first began when two students had an idea. From there, the club has taken off and they even have T-shirts, a logo of a cardinal (the school mascot), and a Latin motto: “Veni vidi dormivi — I came, I saw, I slept.”

What a great way to spend some time when in dire need of a snooze. Imagine the students that commute an hour every day, but have classes from morning to night. I know firsthand that napping between classes is an essential. I commuted during my first year, and it can be a hassle — especially in the winter.

Overall the Power Nap Club in Connecticut has many benefits. Students have learned relaxation techniques that help them manage their busy lives and focus better. One student said that the club has taught him to take quick naps rather than long ones. This is extremely helpful when trying to avoid incidents like sleeping in class.

Of course, high school and college classes are different. University classes are taught many times throughout the day, while high school classes begin and end at the same time everyday. So students living on campus can go to their dorm and catch a few winks before turning off the alarm and going to the next. But dorm rooms can be busy places too. It can be hard to sleep in a room when a roommate has a bunch of friends over. Instances like these make the Power Nap Club pretty popular. This is a call for a Bowling Green Power Nap Club for those students that get criticized for snoring too loudly at home and are looking for a safe haven. Since the University has many more students than Greenwich High School’s 2,450 students, maybe each dorm could have their own designated room or lounge for students to sit and relax.

The dorms do have quiet hours, but wouldn’t it be great to have a space set aside to sit and relax? Students could sign up for nap times. After all, other cultures have had something similar for the past few centuries, and they must be doing something right since it’s lasted for so long. I’m talking about Hispanic countries and siesta hour, when everyone closes shop to sit and relax. After a few hours the businesses and restaurants open again and the fiesta time of partying begins with music and dancing and food. What a great way to relieve stress. Studies have shown that a nap hour is healthy and that people may actually live longer. Naps are good, and a nap and a glass of wine every day never hurt anyone.

So all the floor councils should rally at their next meeting and consider starting a Power Nap Club. We’ve got a lot of great minds at this University, so why not make a great idea work like it has for the students at Greenwich High School.