Recently, I have been starting my days here at Penn State earlier, and with that, I have identified a key issue. The dining hall buffets do not open early enough.

Whether students wake up early to go on a run, head to the gym, finish studying for an exam that day, or just like to start the day early, I have noticed that there is a rather large community that falls into at least one of the categories I just mentioned.

As someone who used to sleep right until it was time to go to class, the idea of breakfast never crossed my mind. Since getting up earlier, when it’s 6:26 a.m. and my stomach is growling, it’s the only thing on my mind.

I have been to Findlay Commons several times in the last few weeks, right when it opened at 7 a.m. Between people walking around, kids waiting for their coffees at the Edge, and those who are at the buffet, I would say there is a decent crowd.

There will usually be a big table of ROTC students, some small groups of three or four kids, and then solo diners like myself who roll out of their bed in pajamas, ready to eat as many waffles, everything bagels, and scrambled eggs as one can comfortably fit into their stomachs.

This made me wonder: Why doesn’t Penn State open the buffets earlier? The IM Building and White Building both open at 6 a.m. on weekdays, so why can’t the dining halls do the same?

More students would have the opportunity to eat breakfast on their college campus if earlier dining options were available. This isn’t just an issue here at Penn State but rather across many college campuses in America.

So listen, I’m not asking for a huge change, just a small compromise that could go a long way for students who like to kick the sheets early.

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