Food is something we all need, especially for college students. No matter the day or the hour, we all need food and there are people who will do ANYTHING to get it. Realistically, most students don’t have access to get the greatest of meals, so here are the seven most common foods that are ESSENTIAL to your student life:

1. Ramen

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What is it? Ramen are noodles that you can quickly heat up with either a microwave or pot. They come in many flavors including: chicken, beef, oriental, or even shrimp!

How pricey is it? Depending on the store and area, a 12 pack of Ramen can come as cheap of $2.38, and a larger 18 pack of Ramen will cost around $10.00.

How to make it: Personally, I think it’s best to use a pot so the noodles are more cooked compared to a microwave, but you gotta use with what you got.

Pot: pour about 2 cups of water (or the amount that fills up your bowl), into the pot. Once the water comes to a boil place the noodles into the boil. You can either place the squares in as is, or you can break it up while it’s still hard. Let the water boil for 3 minutes, stirring every minute or so. After the 3 minutes, turn off your stove and place the pot where it can cool down. Pour the seasoning (powder) into the pot, and mix it up. You should let the noodles cool for 2 minutes. Lastly, pour the ramen into your bowl and grab some cold water! It’s salty!

Microwave: Fill up the bowl with water, and break the square noodles and put them in the bowl. Let the noodles sit in the water for 3 minutes, then nuke it in the microwave for 1:30- 2 minutes. Once its cooled down for 2 minutes pour the seasoning and you're good to go!

2. Mac & Cheese

What is it? A simple bowl of Kraft Mac & Cheese that comes in either regular boxes, or in the pre-made bowl.

How Pricey? The small bowls can come in a pack of four for $3.26. But if you want to go the extra mile and spend a teeny bit more, get the pack of 5 for $4.74.

How to make it? What’s great about the bowl mac & cheese is that all you have to do is add water and put it in the microwave for about a minute and you’re good to go. It’s quick, easy, and delicious!

3. Oatmeal

What is it? Everyone should know what Oatmeal is by now, and it comes in SO many different flavors. If you’re someone who wants it to be sweet (like me), Quakers fruit & cream is perfect because you can easily mix the flavors together. However, if you’re a health nut, the classic Maple Brown & Sugar or Apples & Cinnamon is a perfect go-to for any time of the day!

How Pricey? Most variety packs for explicitly Quaker Oats is $5.14, but if off brands and single flavoring rang from $2-3.

How to make it? You are either a milk person, or a water person with your oatmeal. Decide with liquid you want to put in your oatmeal, pour it into the fill line in the packet. Then add it to the oats, nuke it for 2 minutes (or less depending on your milk/water ratio to oats). Enjoy!

4. Soup

What is it? Do I need to explain?? Great for sick days, would highly recommend getting bread or making a grilled cheese for a side; simply one bowl of soup with nothing else is not going to fill you up.

How Pricey? The price for soup depends on the package (can or microwave), and of course brand and flavor. A single microwavable bowl costs around $2.00, but if you’re going for a pack of canned soup it could be a little over $3.00.

How to make it? Canned soup is simple, just get a pan, set the stove to low, and stir it around for 3 minutes. Most students will just buy the microwavable ones, just put it in the microwave for the desired time and you’re good to go.

5. Pancakes

What is it? Now this is a bit different because sadly it doesn’t come in a bowl, and you can’t just microwave it. But with my own experience, Pancake mix comes in clutch, especially with the mix where you just need to add water.

How Pricey? Depending on your brand loyalty, style (regular or buttermilk), and if you want the simplicity of adding water or not- the price range can be from $2-4.

How to make it? Just grab a skillet, cooking spray, bowl, fork, and measuring cup. Making pancakes is very simple, just wait for the bubbles to appear and flip! I always wait for mine to be golden brown, also feel free to add blueberries or chocolate chips. Everyone on the floor is going to want you to make some for them!

6. Cereal

What is it? The best lazy midnight snack ever.

How Pricey? Depends if you’re going to be healthy, generic, or sugary sweet. It ranges from $2-5. I would highly recommend purchasing the variety packs of smaller cereals, that way you can eat dry cereal on your way to class.

How to make it? If you do milk first you need to rethink your life choices.

7. PB & J

What is it? Childhood in a sandwich.

How Pricey? Well with the ingredients of: peanut Butter, jelly, and a loaf of bread. The total cost is going to be around 7-10 dollars. This all depends on brand of the peanut butter, jam or jelly, and of course wheat or white bread. Chose wisely!

How to make it? You do the butter, and then the jelly, and once they are united the best sandwich in the universe is born.

That’s about it! There is no limit to what you could eat when you're in a pinch. Plenty of frozen meals will be bought, take-out Chinese and pizza delivery orders to be made too. But, hey, when you’re nearing the end of your meal plan, on top of getting sick of dining hall food, these are favorites that frankly, you can’t ever possibly get sick of. Why? Because you depend on them way, way too much.