As a TCNJ student, you'll surely be spending a lot of time in Eick. Being new to the Atrium can seem intimidating at first, especially with the constant buzz of upperclassmen. But really, Eick isn't terribly different from your high school cafeteria, so you shouldn't be nervous. You'll be used to things before you know it, but here are some tips to make your transition as smooth as possible.
- Don't use the trays! No students use the trays at Eick, so seeing someone with a tray is a beacon of being green. Just pick up your plate and bring it to your seat before going to grab something else.
- Check the C-Street Grill for utensils. At peak times, it's not uncommon to have trouble finding utensils. The Grill is mostly burgers, so the utensils are usually plentiful! Should that fail you, keep looking around. There are a number of spots for utensils, so you'll find some somewhere.
- Experiment. Without a doubt, you'll get sick of having the same Eick food, so don't be afraid to try a few different things from different stations. Personally, I like grabbing some of the grilled chicken from the C-Street Grill and then going to Green Farm Salads to make a healthy chicken salad.
- Eating alone is okay. During Welcome Week, you'll probably be having meals with your floor. You don't have to eat alone then, but once class starts you might get too busy to coordinate meal times with others. No one gives you a second glance if you eat alone though, so don't worry about it.
- Take snacks. There are always apples, oranges, or bananas in Eick. Take one or two and bring it back to your dorm for a snack later on. There are also bagels that you can toast and spread cream cheese or peanut butter on. They're great for taking when you're on the run and don't have much time to stop before class. You can also always take a disposable coffee cup and fill it with cereal.
- Be kind to workers. The workers are what keep Eick running, so say please and thank you! Workers have come to work in blizzards just to make sure we are able to eat. Plus, the more kind you are, the more you get to know them. There are some great characters in Eick, like Eve and Big Larry. Everyone knows Eve as someone who'll brighten your day, so do her a favor and brighten hers back!
- Ordering food is as simple as pointing. If you're nervous about how to order in Eick, it's very easy. At Quimby's, for example, just say the names of the food you want from the display. At the C-Street grill, just tell the chef "grilled chicken," "cheese burger," or "grilled cheese." You can also just watch the people in front of you order if you aren't sure what to say.
- If you see chocolate chip cookies at Bliss Bakery, take one before you finish your meal. The Bakery has great cookies, and everyone knows it. If you don't want them to run out before you finish your meal, grab some to hold while you eat. There's nothing like the sadness of expecting a cookie and then finding out they're all gone. This tip also applies to ice cream cones. When you plan on getting ice cream, get a cone before they run out.
- Buy a reusable water bottle. Inevitably, there will be a day when you're too lazy to go buy a drink from somewhere. Instead, bring a reusable water bottle to Eick and fill it up with the drink of your choice. Since our fridges are small, you may not want to keep a big jug of orange juice or milk. Keeping a reusable bottle full of milk for your cereal or oatmeal in the morning is much more space-friendly. It's environmentally friendly too!
- Don't be "that guy." When you're done with your food, put your plates, utensils, and cup on the washing rack where they belong. If you spill anything, use napkins to clean it up. Don't leave garbage on the floor or a mess for the workers. Treat Eick like your home since it is, in part!