24/03/2026
The Curse of the Boarding School Dining Room: How 30 Minutes Changed My Eating Forever"
As a 37-year-old woman, I still find myself shoveling food into my mouth like I'm racing against a timer, even when I'm dining solo. It's not because I'm trying to set a record for fastest eater, but because my boarding school days in Zimbabwe have left an indelible mark on my eating habits.
Growing up, I attended a boarding school where lunch was a high-stakes affair. You had to eat within 30 minutes, or risk going hungry for the rest of the day. It was a sink-or-swim situation, and I quickly learned to adapt. I'd inhale my food, barely chewing before swallowing, all while scanning the dining room for any signs of seconds.
Fast forward to adulthood, and you'd think I'd have kicked the habit. But nope, I'm still the first one to clear my plate, even on dates or at family gatherings. My poor dining companions often exchange worried glances, unsure if I'm competing with them or just really, really hungry.
The worst part? I don't even realize I'm doing it until someone points it out. "Uh, you can slow down, there's no timer," they'll say, chuckling. But my brain is still stuck in boarding school mode, convinced that any moment, the bell will ring, and it'll be too late.
If you're a fellow boarding school survivor, I'm here to tell you, you're not alone. 😊
