By Leonardo Cervantes
The cafeteria must return to full service as it provides a place for students to eat, study and socialize. The kitchen at one’s home is often the busiest place and it’s no secret, before the pandemic, the school cafeteria was the same.
It was always vibrant and a place to relax after a long day of school.
Some students even went to the cafeteria before class started as it was a welcoming environment. The pandemic created a lot of obstacles and made students’ routines change.
School cafeteria environments can have an impact on the general performance of students.
A pleasing cafeteria helps students eat more food and this in turn boosts their overall performance in class.
A good lengthy meal will keep students far more focused on class and much less distractions.
A lot of students are still taking synchronous classes and are no longer stepping foot on campus. The students attending classes on campus should have the option of eating at the cafeteria.
The cafeteria provided a place where students could enjoy their meals and relax for a few minutes from their stressful classes. It was a good place to unwind and enjoy some food.
Each student has varying schedules so having the option of the cafeteria being open while they wait for their next class is good.
If the cafeteria returns to full service it will provide a way for students to enjoy a meal without leaving campus.
Traffic and long lines at fast food establishments will often disrupt students’ schedules and make them later for their next class. A full service cafeteria would be a way to ensure students would be on time for their classes. This would lower the stress on students who are already concerned with difficult classes.
During or after finishing their food, students would often study in the cafeteria. A return to full service would give this chance for students to eat and study again.
Now of course, they could also study in the library, but because of the “no food policy” students often preferred the cafeteria.
Students would often be seen rehearsing their presentations in the cafeteria. It was similar to a study hall only that it provided food.
Sometimes students would go to the cafeteria and wait until it was time for their next class. It was a better alternative than just waiting in the halls.
While they were there, they would often grab something to eat to boost their energy. “Eating regular meals and snacks helps keep your energy at an even level, without highs and lows. Aim to eat every three to four hours,” Danna Raphael, a clinical nutritionist at Hospital for Special Surgery said.
Students should have the option of being able to get some food in between classes to keep their energy level high and stay engaged with their work.
A bad class can lead to a bad week at school which can quickly have students at a disadvantage during a semester. It’s a snowball effect that adds up quickly.
The cafeteria also provided a space for students to socialize. You would often meet students you didn’t see around campus.
It was a way of meeting new people and making friends all while students enjoyed their food. It felt like a classroom outside of the classroom.
Students would meet other cafeteria regular students and after a while you would become friends with them.
Whether it was morning, afternoon or night the cafeteria was always vibrant. It would sometimes feel overcrowd but that’s what made the cafeteria unique.