If you're a Bonnie, you're inevitably a Hickey dining hall veteran too. We've all endured milk famines, hard butter, and last-resort pizza for far too long (and I've only been here one full semester). So when your Tim Horton's change doesn't cut it, all 300 Olean Subway locations don't sound great, and your flex dollars are at an all-time low, you're left with the one and only: Hickey.
Sounds appetizing.
Truth is, if you choose to tackle Hickey dining the right way, it isn't all that bad. There aren't that many on-campus dining options for universities this small, so it's important to take advantage of what we have. On that note, here are seven Hickey hacks that'll get you the most out of your meal plan.
1. G-G-G-Gotta Be Fresh
Ever have Hickey pizza that isn't exactly fresh out of the oven? Ever reach for the piece in the back thinking it's the freshest? Yeah, me too. After overhearing workers being trained to "keep the older pizza in the back," because students reach for the pizza closest to the oven, I've never reached that far again. I'm sure this isn't always the case, just remember to explore ALL of your options.
2. The Best of Times and the Worst of Times
There are a few times of the day when every single student on campus decides they're hungry. Let's change it up and maybe we'll see a difference!
8:00 A.M.: Don't go. Everyone with an 8:30 and their uncle is there.
8:30 A.M.: Go. For those of us without 8:30s, I'll see you there when it's good and empty.
12:00 P.M.: Don't go. That's a free block, so it's always packed.
4:30 P.M.: Risk it. Risk it to get that cornbread biscuit. Sometimes it's packed, sometimes it's not. Either way, dinner is hot!
3. Slap The Bag
Got milk? No? Don't worry. If you're a brave soul that's been banking on having that low-fat chocolate milk, there's always the option of opening up the case. Inside both of the milk machines are boxes containing the oh-so-delicious bagged Hickey milk. If you really want it, go for it. Sometimes, you only have a few minutes to stop in before class, and waiting for the milk to be changed feels like an eternity. Nobody will judge you, we're college students -- we all need to milk it for what it's worth.
4. Hold It
Are the bathrooms in Plassmann not cutting it? In all honesty, the Hickey has some of the nicest bathrooms on campus. It's too bad barely anyone uses them, ever.
5. Loosen Up My Butter, Babe
Ever finish toasting your bagel in that God-awful line only to find out the butter (or cream cheese) is rock solid? Next time you're waiting in line, pop a few butter packets on top of the toaster. A little warmth never hurt anybody. Just remember to take it off. We don't need any accidents.
6. Cannoli for Days
I can't be the only one that loves Hickey's cannoli. More often than not, when cannoli is put out on Sunday, you'll find them there again on Monday. Take advantage of it.
7. Quick Tricks
I personally love to stop by the Hickey just to fill up my travel cup with juice for in class.
Have back-to-back meetings or classes? Make yourself a sandwich. It's probably the easiest and quickest meal you can make.
Want a midnight snack? Grab an apple and a few packets of peanut butter for later!
There are definitely more hacks where those came from. Got any yourself? Share them in the comments and make everyone's dining experience at Bonaventure a little more delicious.
