There are lots of options for Dining at Boston University: West, Warren, Bay State, the GSU. But even so, dining hall food can be a little drab if you don't get creative. There are plenty of ways to get more out of your dining plan, with little effort.

1. Mix and Match Stations

If you mix and match at stations, you can get more of a unique meal. Get the pork from one station and the potatoes from another. Get that soup, salad and sandwich. The hard thing about this is that you can't get everything on one plate because of health codes. But even so, mixing and matching the stations makes for a more balanced meal. You can also get way more things that you like.

2. Don't Be Afraid Of The Gluten-Free Station

A lot of people shy away from the gluten-free station because they think it will be bland. This couldn't be farther from the truth. The gluten-free station doesn't make as much food because less people eat it. Because they aren't making the food in such high quantities, the food is better quality.

3. Create A 5 Star Dessert

Are you missing those cookie ice cream sandwiches from home? Make your own. Grab two cookies from the dessert area and head over to the ice cream area and sandwich them between some delicious soft serve. Make a chocolate filled cone with the hot fudge. Add ice cream to the apple crisp to get as close to a homemade apple pie as you can. You can add some sprinkles to your cake. Lastly, heating up the muffins, cookies, or brownies always makes them taste just a little bit better.

4. Tupperware

Buying tupperware is an investment. You can get two plates of food, only eat one and take the second home for leftovers. This is incredibly handy if you are on one of the more restrictive dining plans. Get the most out of every swipe.

5. Dishes

You are not supposed to take dishes out of the dining hall, however, there is already a fee factored into your dining plan to account for stolen items. You are already paying for it, why not take advantage of having some bowls and silverware in your room? When they get dirty, you can just return them! It's not stealing if you give it back right?

6. Don't Go During Peak Hours

The dining hall is always busy, but at certain times of the day, it is unbearable. Eating your meals a little earlier or later in the day makes dining in the dining hall much easier and faster. Do not go to dinner at 7. This is probably the busiest time. During this time, it takes longer to get the good food and the cooks are often out of certain things. They also make things ahead of time in anticipation of the large crowds. If you go a little bit earlier, your food will be fresher and you'll get it quicker.

7. Visit Hillel

For those of you don't know, Hillel is the Kosher dining hall on campus. Because it is kosher, everything is prepared separately and with higher quality ingredients. If you don't live in East campus, it's quite a trek to get there but it is worth it.