I have problems with staying awake. I’m sure that’s no surprise to a good 90% of people who read this site, but I think it’s worthwhile to mention it considering the day?s events. I’ll forgo the immediate telling of this tale in favor of some background information.
My issues with staying awake (or lack of) in class go way back to my early education years when naptime was installed during kindergarten as an essential portion of the day. There was nothing like seeing those lights dim, firing up Raffi songs on the class tape player, and curling up on those delightful mats. In fact, I also had naptime in day care with the extraordinary addition of employees who rubbed each kid’s back. That was swell. I guess, on some level, I never grew out of that sort of scenario (except for the backrub part).
Anyway, fast forward to my high school Spanish class with Mr. Wilder. That particular class came right after lunch and, I swear, I fell asleep every single day. At least two times per week, I’d regain consciousness and slowly realize that the whole class was looking at me. It was terrible because back in those days I just wanted to fly under the radar…not only was I exposed as a disrespectful class sleeper, I also became the class joke.
As I got further along in school, I embraced my sleeping nature and pursued in-school slumber with reckless abandon. This culminated with my senior psychology class where, during a documentary on schizophrenia, I actually curled up on the floor with my backpack as a pillow. Ol’ Mr. Young didn’t mind…I’m sure it just made for something to talk about around the faculty water cooler. He’d probably let you push a kid out a window if it made for a good story or provided a hearty laugh. (I love that guy)
As I transitioned to college, I found that my lifestyle didn’t have to change. With large, several hundred person lecture halls, I could sleep uninhibited and because I took a lot of classes with Teej, he could wake me up when there was something important like a quiz. This obvious slacking off made test preparation a figurative hell, but it was worth it.
Now I genuinely hate my sleeping ways. If I had a dollar for every time Cindy poked my arm in ENG221 because I was snoring, I’d be able to supplement my future teacher’s salary quite well. Might even be able to invest in one of those Craftmatic adjustable beds and an ergonomic pillow…perhaps solve all my problems. Anyway, in all my film classes that I take for fun, I can’t stay awake through an entire movie. I really do try hard to maintain a state of consciousness but it’s generally futile.
I reached a new low today. I was sitting behind the desk in my observation (secondary education field experience) school and I fell asleep during a student presentation. I woke up to the stunning realization that I had just drooled all over my shirt. I tried to nonchalantly wipe away the saliva and start taking pretend notes but it seemed to lack any smoothness. Hopefully no one saw and my slumbering ways will continue to be a secret shame.
Seriously…anyone qualified to diagnose narcolepsy?
Dr Brack’s 221 was just incredibly tedious. I only managed to stay awake myself because you snore. How can we be blamed for the guy who taught us that it was important to wear pants to a dinner party?
Raffi is my hero
you know what this site totally needs? monkeys. oh hey, there’s one! wow, you guys thought of everything!
Congratulations Steve. You’ve now set an example by which every kid in that class will follow for the rest of their lives. Shame. . . . SHAME! Aw, who am I kidding, I do it too.
Yes, narcolepsy is a reality that many face in the classroom, and out. I speak from personal experience when I say that while drool on your shirt is an embarrassing consequence, however, there may be hidden dangers lurking in your sleepy future…steer clear of such liquids in bowls as cereal or soup, lest you have another bout with your nap problem! Yikes!
I think I know someone who is at least as much of a dork if not more of one than me. Hi Mark!
I say it with love. 
But, since we’re talking about monkeys, where did the one that slipped on the banana peel go? That was my favorite! And, why do you have to buy a pop to use a free Subway card? I get one of the low fat subs, then I kill it with a pop… I should sue Subway for making me fat. There’s a twist…
How the heck did we get here?
Sarah, since you’re getting married, I think you should know about the birds and the bees.