Every day, many students go to the student store in order to buy snacks to enjoy. The student store, along with the many vending machines that are dotted around campus, have items students buy every day. Both have their flaws and advantages, but which is better?
Many people go to the student store to buy food, but oftentimes the student store is too crowded. In an interview with Gabriel Galvez, a freshman at Saugus he states, “The lines are really long. I usually need to wait 10-20 minutes. The vending machines are way less crowded.” Many people may hold up the line because they take too long to order. Some people begin to fight or argue after being told to wait for so long. Long lines will unfortunately always be an issue due to the popularity of the student store. The vending machines are much faster, as there are almost no lines there, and there are several across campus regardless.
The wide variety of foods and items at the student store are the main reason that people wait in the lines in the first place. The store has a large selection of items, from water to ice cream. A few of the things that are sold there include:
-Dippin Dots (Five Flavors)
-Lemonade
-Water
-Chips
-Popcorn
This is the main reason as to why the student store is so backed up in the first place. The food there is convenient and also very tasty. The vending machines also offer plenty of products including: Powerade, popcorn, chips, candy bars, but the variety of foods served at the vending machines is not as wide as the food in the student store. Due to a lack of refrigeration, ice cream isn’t served at the vending machines, which makes the variety of foods there more narrow.
Something that a lot of students appreciate is the multiple pay options that the student store offers. Many people are given money through a credit card or Venmo, and may need to pay through ApplePay or another form of payment. Stated by Susie Danielyan, a Senior at Saugus High School, “It’s really nice that you can pay with ApplePay. Sometimes I forget to bring cash.”The option to pay via ApplePay is very convenient just in case you forgot to bring money. Buying from the student store is much more convenient and reliable than the vending machines due to the payment options. Many students complain that the vending machines sometimes take your money and don’t give the product that you pay for, or may not give you back your change. If this happens, ask the administration for help.
The student store is a better place to buy items. There is a much higher chance of losing your money while using the vending machines and the ability to pay through ApplePay is very convenient. The student store also has a wider variety of foods, and some of the issues regarding the lines can be solved by showing up early. Regardless of whichever you prefer, it’s important to remember that the student store and the vending machines are a privilege, and it’s important to appreciate them for their benefits. Many students in other schools don’t have these options. While the student store is better in terms of variety and reliability, the vending machines are far more convenient and quick.
