The Mycenaean

It is no mistake that being hungry makes it hard to focus and leads to low energy. Hunger leads to a drop in blood sugar, leading to peevishness, shakiness, sweating, or fatigue. Hanger is a term used to describe the link between a negative attitude and being hungry.  

The stomach emits a hormone known as ghrelin when it is empty. The hormone sends continuous hunger signals to the brain, creating trouble focusing. Hunger signals can manifest physically, such as a growl from the stomach. A loud stomach can be disruptive to both the student and their peers. 

Hunger also releases stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline until the hunger is satiated. These hormones lead to feelings of anxiety and a shift in attention, further disrupting the student’s learning. 

Eating a snack eliminates the stress put on the body when hungry, bringing the body back to a comfortable state, which is the best state for focus. 

Not all Leesville classes allow snacking. A select few teachers are okay with snacking in their classrooms. 

Bhima Jordan, junior, thinks snacking is appropriate during class. 

“Snacking should be allowed in class. Scientifically, we are more relaxed when we are eating or our hunger is satiated, this helps the student to feel comfortable,” he said. 

Jordan has B lunch and finds the gap between his breakfast and lunch unbearably long.

“My mind is occupied looking forward to lunch,” he said. 

While Jordan approves of snacking, he does not think there should be an allotted time for snacking. 

“It’s unnecessary. Students can use their own common sense to know when to eat or not,” said Jordan. 

Random snacking during class time can be disruptive. A snack wrapper can be noisy and draw attention to the student eating rather than the lesson. Furthermore, it results in others wanting a snack, leading to a lack of focus on the lecture. 

Louis Ton, senior, feels a snack time would be beneficial. 

“There should be an allotted time for snacks every period,” he said.

Ton thinks every class should offer 5 minutes for snacking, during a transition period from notes or lectures to the assignment for the day. 

Whether it is an organized snacktime or not, Leesville students agree students should be allowed to snack in all classes.