Question

3. I poured myself a cup of coffee in the teacher's lounge and took a sip. It wasn't Starbucks, but the jolt of hot, steamy caffeine helped wake me up.

Reference to: Sipping on a jolt of hot, steamy caffeine (coffee) from the teacher’s lounge to help wake up.
Possible meaning:

Answer 1

The act of sipping on hot coffee in the teacher's lounge could symbolize seeking comfort and routine in a familiar environment. The caffeine providing a jolt could represent the need for a boost of energy and alertness to start the day. This could also suggest the idea of relying on familiar routines and habits to help get through challenging or exhausting situations.