Page 14 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JAnuARy 30, 2026 ~ Everett Public Libraries Calendar of Events ~ February 2–7 Parlin Adult and Teens Gaming Club: Parlin YA Room, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3 p.m.; join us for board games and video games at the library! Bring your own or play what we have here — for ages 12 and up. Yarn Club: Parlin Fireplace Room, Tuesday, February 3, at 7 p.m. Come chit-chat and stitch! Bring your crocheting, knitting or any other yarn craft and sit and socialize with other members of the crafting community — recommended for ages 14-109! What do you love most about the library? Stop by the Children’s Room at Parlin and Shute Libraries to leave a love letter for the library. We’ll share the love on our social media accounts all month long! Parlin Children’s Lego Club: Parlin Children’s Room, Monday, February 2, from 3-5 p.m. Come to the Children’s Room after school on Mondays for some free Lego building fun. Open to all ages; children under six years old must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required. Storytime and Sing-along with Karen: Parlin Children’s Room, Wednesdays at 11 a.m. Join us for a fun-fi lled morning of singing and storytelling with Karen! Suggested ages: newborn to six. Drama Class: Parlin Children’s Room, Wednesdays at 3 p.m. Do you have a drama queen or king at home? Drama Class in the Parlin Children’s Department is the perfect opportunity for your child to put those acting skills to use with our drama coach! Suggested ages: six to 14. Storytime Adventures with Mrs. McAuliff e: Parlin Children’s Room, Thursdays and Fridays at 11:00 a.m. Join Children’s Librarian Mrs. McAuliffe for our enchanting Story Time! You will be whisked away on magical adventures through the pages of your favorite books. Bring a friend or make a new one in our circle of friends. Shute Adult and Teens Golden Minds: Play, Create, Connect: Shute Meeting Room, Monday, February 2, at 10 a.m. Join us for our monthly senior social! Enjoy books, puzzles, crafts and games with friends in a fun and welcoming environment. Stay engaged and connect with your peers! This event is open to ages 55-109! Games are generously supplied by the Council on Aging. Ready Player One Games: Shute Meeting Room, February 4 at 2:30 p.m. Level up your Wednesdays with our ultimate gaming hangout! Grab your friends and dive into fun Nintendo Switch and PlayStation games; whether you’re racing, battling or teaming up for co-op fun, there’s something for everyone. No registration required; recommended for ages 11 and up. Artisan’s Circle: Shute Meeting Room, Thursday, February 5, at 5:30 p.m. Bring your own craft and supplies (BYOC) and enjoy creating alongside a community of makers. Open to ages 18 and up, no registration required. Shute Children’s Storytime at the Shute: Children’s Room. Mondays at 10 a.m. and Tuesdays at 12 p.m. What’s better than a good story? Sharing it with friends! Join Miss Val at the Shute Library for Fairytale Fun! Master Builders: Lego Free-play: Shute Children’s Room, Thursdays from 3-5 p.m. Free-play session with Legos and other building blocks. Bring a buddy, or make a new one, as you explore your imagination brick by brick! We provide the space and the materials to let your vision take shape. What will you create? New study reveals the snacks most likely to distract students N studying. Richardson pointed out Pens.com highlighted that many students reach for sugary snacks or energy drinks for a quick boost, but these choices often lead to energy crashes that disrupt eff ective that several common snack choices can cause signifi cant problems with focus, memory retention and overall cognitive performance during revision periods. High-sugar foods cause concentration crashes “Many students grab chocolate bars or sweets while revising, thinking the sugFor Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 ar rush will help them study longer,” Richardson explained. “The sugar spike off ers about 20 minutes of heightened energy before causing a dramatic crash that leaves teenagers more tired and less able to concentrate than before.” Richardson noted that the resulting blood sugar rollercoaster can create a cycle of poor concentration that ruins productive study sessions. Caff einated energy drinks create anxiety Richardson warned against energy drinks that combine caffeine with sugar, stating they particularly disrupt teenage brains. “These drinks might seem like perfect revision companions, but they often contain extremely high levels of caffeine that can trigger anxiety symptoms in teenagers,” she said. “The resulting jitters and racing thoughts make it nearly impossible to absorb information properly.” She added that caffeine stays in the teenage body longer than in adults, potentially disrupting sleep patterns for up to 14 hours after consumption. Processed snacks affect memory formation “Crisps, processed cheese snacks, and similar packaged foods contain artifi cial additives that may interfere with memory formation,” Richardson stated. “These foods off er little nutritional value while potentially hampering the brain’s ability to encode new information during revision.” Richardson recommended students avoid these empty-calorie options during intensive study periods. Heavy carbohydrates cause afternoon slumps “White bread sandwiches, pasta, and other refi ned carbohydrates convert quickly to sugar in the bloodstream,” Richardson explained. “These foods trigger the release of serotonin and tryptophan, which creates a sense of relaxation and drowsiness - exactly what students don’t need during revision.” She noted that many students incorrectly blame afternoon tiredness on natuew research has revealed that many of the snacks being consumed during learning sessions are actually doing more harm than good. Hannah Richardson from ral energy cycles rather than their lunch choices. Dehydrating snacks reduce brain function “Salty snacks like crisps can lead to dehydration, which dramatically impacts cognitive performance,” Richardson said. “Even mild dehydration reduces concentration by up to 10%, yet many students forget to drink water throughout revision sessions.” It’s stressed that proper hydration remains one of the most overlooked factors in maintaining focus during studying. Richardson added that parents can help by stocking the kitchen with brain-boosting alternatives like nuts, berries, hummus with vegetables, and protein-rich snacks that provide sustained energy without the negative effects of sugar-heavy options. “The right nutrition during revision periods can make a signifi cant diff erence to a student’s ability to concentrate, retain information, and perform well in exams,” she concluded.
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