With only a handful of weeks left in the spring semester, I am finding that the food available on campus is more tired than ever. There is only so much that one can do in a dorm without a kitchen, and the classic dishes offered at our dining halls are only great so many times. But I, and many others, still have to eat there until we pack up and head back home for the summer. Here are some tips for surviving the final stretch of the freshman year meal plan.
1. Eat with friends. Having someone to sit and talk to while you eat will make you more likely to show up at the dining hall in the first place. If the menu items for the day are particularly bland, then you can also focus on your friends while you eat.
2. Always have dessert. You can never go wrong with a good cookie or some soft-serve ice cream. Always have dessert after your meal because you will likely leave on a good note, and it gives you something to look forward to while you eat.
3. You can never go wrong with salad. There are so many options at the salad bar that you could easily eat something different every day for a week. Bonus: it's a really healthy alternative to chicken strips and french fries.
4. Save your favorites for long days. If you know that you never get tired of nachos or pasta, then save those dishes for your longest days. It will keep your mood up during your classes, and it will give you something to look forward to when heading over to the dining halls.
5. Allow yourself time to eat out. You cannot force yourself to eat at the dining hall for every meal every day. Make sure you plan one day a week or every other week to hit up some place off campus or make yourself something in the dorm. Giving yourself a break will make it easier for you to continue going to the dining hall.
6. Think about the cost. College meal plans cost an arm and a leg. Just think about how much you (or your parents) are paying, and make it useful. Sure, it's probably more satisfying to head over to Burger King every once in a while, but don't drain your bank account for a meal plan that you have already paid for.
