How do you decide where to study on campus? Do you look for a comfortable room? The availability of a large desk? A chalkboard for working through problem sets? A space where you can socialize between writing paragraphs of an essay? For me, the answer is simple: I prefer a campus building with a vending machine.
Long study sessions inevitably require breaks. Whether finishing a paper in Sawyer, working through a problem set in Schow, or reviewing for an exam in Hollander, most people need breaks between study blocks. It’s the perfect time to grab something quick and energizing to reset your mental space. A trip to a vending machine provides this convenient pause before returning to work.
But the novelty of the machine fades quickly when the offerings do not change. With the same options to choose from, the act of purchasing an item from the vending machine is no longer something to look forward to when studying.
This is where a rotating snack and beverage system could make a meaningful difference. Whenever I see a new snack or beverage in a vending machine, I am far more likely to purchase it. This was true when Prestige Services, the company that oversees the vending machines, introduced the Quencha drinks last year. I had stopped purchasing drinks from the vending machines, only Diet Coke occasionally, but when I saw a row of unfamiliar drinks, I had to try them all. In moments when I otherwise would just glance over the vending machines, the addition of something new captures my attention and prompts a purchase. That initial spark of novelty creates demand.
Imagine a monthly system in which a small percentage of items are swapped out. M&M’s might be replaced by Kinder Bueno, Lay’s potato chips might give way to Takis, and Polar Seltzer might rotate into Sparkling Ice or another carbonated alternative. Even minor swaps could dramatically refresh the machine’s appeal.
Some may object that such changes risk removing students’ favorite items. Although everyone has a preferred snack, and replacing it could initially feel frustrating or inconvenient, a system where, for example, 70 percent of the core inventory remains the same, while 30 percent to 10 percent rotates monthly or even seasonally would add novelty while minimizing the chances of someone’s favorite snack or beverage getting replaced.
Beyond the benefits for students, Prestige Services could benefit financially from rotating its inventory. An item rotation could be used to test demand, with low-performing items getting swapped out for alternatives. If a new beverage sells quickly, it can earn a permanent spot in the machines’ core inventory.
Rotating vending machine items would benefit everyone. For students, it could incentivize trying new study spaces on campus. Perhaps Sawyer has new snacks stocked up while Schow features others. Suddenly, checking a vending machine becomes part of the study routine. The simple act of seeing what is new adds a layer of lightness to long academic days. Sometimes, a new snack is not just a snack — it is a reason to stay a little longer, study a little harder, and enjoy campus life just a bit more.
Alex Chen ’28 is from Brooklyn, N.Y.
