Relaxation Corner
Come relax, kick back and take a nap!
The nap pod is designed to help you relax and unwind. A 20 minute break can improve your mood, creativity and focus. The nap pod is on a first come first serve basis in the relaxation corner on the first floor of the Commons.
Enhancing Student Well-Being Through Nap Pods
Project Z is an innovative initiative designed to improve student well-being and academic success by introducing nap pods on campus. The idea of obtaining nap pods was first presented by a student, Anirudh Mepperla, in Kirk Richardson’s Focused Inquiry class,
where
students explored ways to support student wellness. With Kirk Richardson’s guidance, Anirudh pursued the idea further, transforming it into an entrepreneurial project that gained recognition from VCU’s da Vinci Center at the Shift Retail Lab. During the process, they
connected with the Commons and discovered a shared interest in creating a relaxation space where students could unwind between classes using nap pods.
This collaboration helped shape the project’s direction, aligning it with broader student needs. The project secured essential funding from both the Student Government Association (SGA) and technology fees paid by students, exemplifying a collaborative effort to enhance the student experience. Through these efforts, Project Z aims to make rest an integral part of campus life, helping students manage academic demands and personal responsibilities more effectively.
In Phase I, various nap pod models—such as those from GoSleep, Podtime, and MetroNaps —were brought to campus for students to try out and provide feedback. Now in Phase II, the focus has shifted to collecting data on how these pods are contributing to student success, with an emphasis on understanding the needs of commuters, non-traditional students, and on-campus residents. This feedback will guide the selection of the most effective features, helping to assess the impact of naps on focus, memory, and academic performance.
Phase III will involve designing a custom nap pod tailored to the specific needs of VCU students and optimized for spaces like the library. In Phase IV, student-focused nap pods will be produced, marking the first student-focused nap pod initiative in a multi-billion-dollar market. Project Z’s ultimate goal is to provide students with a dedicated space to recharge, helping them manage academic and personal demands more effectively and making rest a key component of academic success.