Lack of sleep is not good, anybody will tell you that. Some common side affects: spacing out, forgetting things like when you have class or what day it is, calling your friends by the wrong name, inability to walk in straight lines or make coherent sentences, delayed reaction time, and thinking that everything is hilarious. (Note: these are not to be confused with being drunk. That is a whole 'nother problem).
And dining halls are tricky, even when fully awake. You have to navigate through food lines, salad bars, drink stations, tables and chairs, people, backpacks, Christmas trees, horse races, and who knows what else all while carrying a plate (or two) of food. Carrying drinks and silverware further complicates the whole thing, and during heavy traffic times like 11:30ish and 5:30ish, the whole thing is pretty dang near impossible.
Add in the fact that most people there are college kids that I guarantee are running on less than the recommended 8 1/2 to 9 hours of sleep, well...let's just say things get interesting.
I've miraculously managed not to break anything so far this year, but I've dropped a fair share of stuff, tripped over chairs, and run into people. Like last night, I ran into a girl and she spilled milk all over. I felt really bad. Seriously.
Fortunately, most people are not as klutzy and uncoordinated as I am, so for the most part, eating is not a major risk to your well-being. You just gotta be on your toes. And try to go to bed before it starts getting light out again.
Dining Hall Hazard of the Day: Lanyards. I usually have mine in either my back pocket or my hoodie pocket, with the lanyard hanging out. I've almost lost it a couple times from it getting caught on various things and it falling out of my pocket, and I've been closelined a couple times from getting it caught on various things and it not falling out of my pocket.
