Okay look, before I dive into this, I just want to preface by saying I'm not bad at budgeting or saving my money, okay? I don't blow cash on stupid things that I'm never going to use, and I rarely actually go shopping. Here's the thing, though. After the first semester, my mom got pretty mad at me for spending a lot of money.
1. It's always the same.
It's very rare that the cafeterias change their meal options, so you get stuck having to pick through the same food options three times a day, seven days a week. People with a diverse pallet: good luck! There's almost never any substitute food options.
2. There are NO healthy options.
Trying to keep up a workout routine and a diet routine is so hard because, at least where I go, there are no healthy options. You have to get pretty creative to maintain a healthy, sustainable diet. It takes kids a while to figure out different food combinations that grant them what they need in a diet.
It's kind of interesting because students who have figured it out then give advice to those who are new to the whole ordeal. I've seen numerous Instagram pages from students who have successfully grown a sustainable and concrete diet on campus.
3. Special diets are close to impossible.
There are barely any vegetarian options, let alone pescatarian options, Mediterranean options, etcetera. Unless you're really dedicated to maintaining a certain type of diet, prepare to cave and eat anything. If you are dedicated, be prepared to have to improvise a lot.
4. Picky eaters and set meals.
A lot of the food choices they give students come a certain way, and you aren't allowed to substitute anything. It gets really annoying listening to all my picky friends complain about not liking the food they got but couldn't change it so that they would better enjoy it.
5. The clock is ticking.
My school has a cafeteria in the Student Center that basically consists of small individual fast food places. Not like Chick-fil-a or Wendy's but places that are specifically for Rowan University. It's one of those, "order in advance and pick up when it's ready" kind of things.
The number of times I would order so I can eat before class so my food would take too long to make, and I wouldn't have time to eat it, is ridiculous. Same with ordering in class; my food would be ready 20 minutes before class lets out, and by the time I'd get there, it's already cold. You have to really learn your schedule and time accordingly if you want hot food at an appropriate time.
So, once again, I'd like to say that I'm not irresponsible with my money. I just spend it all on food. Oops.
