When incoming freshmen first come to high school, everyone might be a little nervous, so I’m going to tell you a few things you need to know about the cafeteria that I wish I knew when I got to high school.

When I was a freshman, I remember when lunch times were different because of covid, but when you become a freshman you need to know that there are going to be two lunch waves during block three. Your teachers are going to tell you that many times on your first day, so there is no need to worry about showing up to the correct lunch. Sometimes you might not have the same lunch block as your friends, so you should think about sitting with someone to make a new friend. If you don’t, then you would have to talk to yourself for 30 minutes every day. Also, tables might fill up fast, so if you do see your friends, that means that you and your friends need to claim a table, so you don’t get separated.

If you like to pack a lunch, that’s really great. However, if you are planning on getting school lunch,  you should put down your bag and get in line quickly. But be nice to other people and don’t cut the line.  In line, you might think that it’s going to take forever and you won’t have time to eat. No need to worry because the line goes faster than you think. So there is no need to rush. When you get the school lunch there are so many things to pick from like cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, pizza, and you can get whatever you want on a sandwich which reminds me of Subway. There’s a salad, fruit, and nacho buffet, along with different kinds of pasta every day. Also, there are specials that are different every time throughout the week with different snacks and drinks to pick from too. Also, any kind of milk is free with a meal. 

     After picking out what you want, there are three workers who are working at the cash registers, so you won’t be confronted with a super long line. I think that everything the cafeteria workers have to offer is really good. 

Another thing that I really wish I knew before my junior year is that you can eat with teachers only if they don’t have a class or a meeting. Just make sure that you ask your teacher before lunch. You don’t want to get lunch all the way to a teacher’s room then find out that you can’t eat in their room then have to go all the way back to the cafeteria. There are many reasons why you would want to eat in a teacher’s room. Like it could be that  you want to hang out with your friends and your favorite teacher, or it could be too loud with too many people in the cafeteria. If you want to get out of the cafeteria, but you’re too afraid to because you feel like they might say no, if you never ask then your answer would always be no. If you get school lunch just make sure that the trays don’t leave the cafeteria and make sure that you sign out. 

These are some things to know about the cafeteria. Just remember to make new friends, don’t judge the food because the food is better than you think, and don’t be afraid to eat with teachers.  I wish I knew these things about the cafeteria before coming to Ledyard High School. 

Hailey Veal, Staff Writer

Hailey Veal is a staff writer for 2022-2023 Colonel Newsmagazine. She likes drawing, baking, mountain biking, archery, playing card and board games, Disney and Marvel movies, and animals.