It’s the first week back since returning from spring break. We’re all trying to get back into the routine of things after being out of the classrooms and away from our books for over a week.

During an afternoon class, I find myself failing to accept the idea of being back in class. I let my sleepiness take over and catch myself doing the dreaded “head nod.” My eyes are closing uncontrollably, and before I realize what’s happening, I have to snap my head back from slowly falling forward.

The second hand continues to drag itself across the clock as I try my best to get through the rest of the class with my eyes open. I look at the professor in hopes that my lack of attentiveness has gone unnoticed; it has. I managed to get through the class without any negative attention. In another class, I may not have been so lucky.

Professors’ reactions vary when it comes to students sleeping in class. Some may be inclined to call out a student for not paying attention or tell their students not to come to class. Others may ignore it.

Is there a right or wrong way to address this? Sleeping in class can be seen as more than simply being tired. It can be seen as irresponsible or rude. Yet when it is simply a case of lack of rest, does a student deserve to be called out when coming to class despite his or her exhaustion? How can a professor tell the difference?

A few weeks earlier a professor from another class explained that professors in Japan are often much more lenient about college students falling asleep in their classes, and that the image of a student asleep on their desk is a common one. The professors do not call out their students, as they recognize that the student has made the effort to come to class despite being so tired, rather than skipping class or staying home like other students.

A friend’s teacher from high school had told her class that she would rather have students fall asleep accidentally with their heads drooping forward than to see a student put his or her head down on the desk. The reason being? According to the teacher, when a student puts his or her head on the desk, he or she is simply giving up. A student who is nodding off is at least trying to stay awake. They are making an effort to do what is expected of them and stay alert in the face of all odds.

If a student in attendance has stayed awake the entire time, is he necessarily being a better student than the one falling asleep in class? Of course, he is more likely to listen to the professor and take notes. However, it is also possible that he came just to be counted in attendance.

Whether or not the professor says anything about it, I know that I’m only hurting myself by not paying attention and letting my sleepiness get the best of me. But any college student knows that it’s not always easy or possible to get as much sleep as we are supposed to. As long as it is not an overall pattern and doesn’t interfere with anyone else’s ability to focus, I think everyone deserves at least a little leeway every now and then.

After all, naps are good for you.