In all six years I’ve spent at Parker, I’ve spent a lot of time exploring the campus. I’ve discovered a lot, from initials carved in weird spots on walls to strange vantage points where you can mess with your friends. There’s only so much to find within the confines of twenty acres, but by far the best result of my inability to stay in one spot for more than fifteen minutes has been my meticulously crafted list of the best places to sleep in the school. While some may seem… unconventional, I can promise you that these have been tested over and over again. By me! And I take my sleep quality very seriously.
#8: Ms. Lunchick’s Room
Full of warm light, pillows, and as many cushions as a Macy’s bedding department, Ms. Lunchick keeps her classroom as comfortable as possible. I have vivid memories of 8th grade Spanish class, curled up by the window with a pillow and drawing flowers for Cinco de Mayo. My one critique is that there isn’t a cushioned space you can stretch out on, but the carpet is comfortable enough. But make sure you don’t sleep while she’s teaching because then you risk having to sit in actual chairs for the rest of the class. It’s also disrespectful, and I can confirm that if you don’t pay attention in her class it will come back to bite you.
#7: Ruderman’s Table
When Ruderman decided to push every single desk in his classroom together into one monstrous mega desk sitting in the middle and taking up all available standing room, all I thought at the time was “Wow, this is a really bad use of time and space.” However, I’ve now realized that one massive benefit came of this: napping! With the wide expanse of space on top of the desk, you can get some quality snoozes in even if people are working at the edges. The many windows in the room keep it relatively cool while the business of the upper hall provides soothing background noise. The one drawback is that people do tend to hang out in the room a lot, so before school and during lunch you may not get the best-quality rest.
#6: Under the Booth in the Theatre
As a person who spends a lot of time in the theatre, I am no stranger to having to find comfortable places to sit, whether it’s to do homework or quickly re-energize before hours of rehearsal. One of my favorite spots is the ledge positioned right underneath the booth, behind all of the seats in the house. I love it because it’s one of the furthest points away from the stage, so even if people is using the theatre you do get a lot more solitude. Another great part is that it’s wide enough to fully stretch out on. I do recommend having a pillow or something to rest your head on because while the wood is softer than you’d expect, it can get a bit uncomfortable after a while. I’d also advise you to avoid sleeping in there while dance classes are in session, or you will very likely end up with the same eight measures of the Polar Express soundtrack stuck in your head for weeks.
#5: The Theatre Lobby
If it isn’t obvious by now, the theatre is full of little hiding spots that I love to frequent. This one isn’t somewhere I spend most of my time, but that’s because I often forget that it exists. It’s hard to tell from the photo, but as you walk into the main entrance of the theatre, you’ll see Ms. Duggan’s office on the right side (do not go in there!!) and the concession stand/display case on the left. If you peek behind the stand, you’ll see a small carpeted area that’s blocked from the sun and is generally peaceful and quiet. It’s a slightly inconvenient spot because, generally, if you need a midday nap, you’re not going to be all the way down in the theatre lobby. However, if you do end up down there at some point, it’s a nice little area to rest or get some work done. But please do not accidentally scare Ms. Duggan if she doesn’t know you’re back there. She will be very sad, and we do not make Ms. Duggan sad.
#4: Upper Hall
It’s no surprise that Kahilu Hall is where everybody goes when they’re allowed to leave class. Referred to as the Upper Hall (probably because it’s right above the Lower Hall, which is… lower), the entrance to our school is full of cushioned chairs, tables, and comfortable seating. It tends to be a pretty social area as a result of the seating arrangements, with no chair left by itself. The long table in the middle is great for group projects, and last year you could find me during every single study hall sitting on the floor next to the bull. The drawback is that it gets busy during passing periods or lunch, but if you have a free block or your teacher lets you leave, the Upper Hall is one of the best places you could be.
#3: Ms. Rickard’s Couch
If you’ve ever had a class with Ms. Rickards in the annex I guarantee you’ve witnessed the inevitable beginning-of-class race to get to the couch. In 9th grade Biology, I once saw ten boys crammed on the couch at once. It’s no surprise that this is the most coveted spot in the room– the couch is so soft you sink into it the moment you sit down, and her lifesize teddy bear Darwin (named after Charles Darwin, duh) makes it a million times better. She doesn’t mind a couple of people sitting on it while she’s teaching, but she would very much appreciate it if you still paid attention! During lunch or after school, though, this is one of the best places you can be if you need a peaceful spot to relax. There are sometimes clubs meeting in her room, so make sure you don’t disrupt anybody. It can also be pretty bright because of the number of windows, even if it’s cloudy out. Even if it’s just to talk story with Ms. Rickards, which is just as fun if not more, I’d highly recommend spending more time in the Annex!
#2: Ms. Feeney’s Room
One thing about Ms. Feeney is that she always knows how to keep comfortable. She redecorated her room at the start of the year with the goal of maximizing comfort and calmness, and she absolutely succeeded. Her room is filled with greenery (to promote life and nature), and she usually keeps the lights off because who wants to learn Spanish with fluorescent white lights glaring in your face? If you end up sitting in the corner of her room next to the fairy lights and fake vines, be prepared for the most relaxing preterite conjugation lesson of your life. She also keeps healthy snacks in her desk, from granola bars to the occasional applesauce pouch that I’m always on the lookout for. I’m not sure if it’s just a coincidence or not, but the Spanish department definitely knows how to make their rooms relaxing.
#1: The Library
The library is number one on the list for good reason. Full of chairs, books, and windows, I couldn’t think of a better place to lie down for a quick nap. While the picture above only shows one of the window seats, there are also the same comfortable chairs as are in the Upper Hall, and a desk area if you need a real writing surface. There’s even a fireplace, which I’ve only seen in use on a couple of occasions, but if you ask Aunty Uluwehi or somebody else they’d be happy to turn it on for you. Back when we were allowed to leave our classrooms during study hall the library was always populated by a few students napping– which in my opinion can be just as useful as doing work because an essay written while you’re sleep-deprived will not go over well with teachers like Naj or Mx. Lai (you could probably get away with it with Ruderman, but don’t tell him I said that). The library is also open after school until around 4:30 when the Upper Hall closes, so you don’t often have to worry about getting kicked out right after school. 10/10 in my opinion!
In the end, sleep is extremely important. I’d like to clarify that I am not condoning sleeping in class; however, during the school day, there is plenty of time to get a few extra minutes of rest. A lot of us stay up late and wake up early, which isn’t healthy in the long run. I know it might be a bit hypocritical of me to say this, but nothing, even caffeine, is a viable replacement for the sleep that you need. We’re very lucky to go to a school that prioritizes our comfort– in most schools, plush leather chairs and pillows would not be the first thing you see when you walk through the front doors. I like to think that I’ve gotten the whole relaxation thing figured out– tea bags and mugs in the locker, blankets, and sometimes a stuffed animal. Everybody’s preferences will be unique to them, but I hope you found something in this list that works for you!
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