It was a little tough to get your parents to come around, but now it’s been a few years and they’re (mostly) behind your decision to push the meat away and off of your plate. Whether by choice or by necessity, you’ve become a whiz in the kitchen! The things that you’ve learned to do the pasta, rice, vegetables, and any combinations of seasoning is amazing. With enough time and effort, your entire family has at one time or another asked to sample your cruelty-free helpings of deliciousness.

Now, allow me to throw a slight curve ball into your culinary repertoire.

Living at home and having a readily available kitchen will never stop being a tiny miracle, but now, you gotten that acceptance letter, your FAFSA has been filed, the mattress covers and desk lamps have been purchased (most likely all from Target), and you’re off to college. No longer to you have total control over what you eat or even much of a say in what is prepared for you. It’s daunting at first, believe me. Meatless options may be slim and it will dive you crazy. No, you don't want just salad for every. single. meal. By now, you know that eating vegetarian/vegan is anything but boring and repetitive. So, what are you to do?

Personally, I’ve been a vegetarian for seven years, a part-time vegan going on for one year, and am finishing my sophomore year of college. Yes, I still run into some of the same issues of repetitiveness, boredom of the caf’s food, and the rare occasion where all that is there is a dry salad bar and french fires. However, navigating through my university cafeteria and food service system, I have definitely taken away a few pointers that can surly help any student entering college who are already vegetarian/vegan or who even are thinking about making the switch.

1. Talk to the serving staff. IT HELPS!

This is portably the biggest one. Ask yourself this. How will the staff know that you need special accommodations if you don't ask? Short answer: they won’t. At this point, you represent a minority of student, but you still need to eat too. As a freshmen, I made sure that I talked to my cafeterias service head and told her what I situation was. Luckily, at my school there is a strictly vegetarian/vegan service station that cranks out some pretty sweet options. If your school doesn’t have one, talk to someone and see if it can the done.

2. Finesse the caf’!

Great, so you’ve spoken to the service head and she's pointed you in the right direction for breakfast, lunches, and dinner (or maybe just lunch and dinner, who really gets up that early?) Now, you’ve come to another quandary. What do you do in between or if you miss meal? Tupperware and ziplock bags will become your new best friends. Taking easily stashable things like whole fruits, nuts, raw veggies, bagels, and salad fixings from the cafeteria with you back to your room can be a savior when you miss dinner to study for that final or midnight rolls around and the munchies come with it.

3. Where there’s a will there’s a way.

Above all else you have to want to do this. You have to make sure that you’re eating enough and eating the rights things to. Yes, it can be difficult, frustration, and annoying answering the same questions over and over and over again or not seeing the foods the you miss, but it’s worth it. It’s an easy way to stay healthy in college, promote discussion with other people, and you get to try some new and interesting food. Some of the most interesting dishes that I’ve tried as a vegetarian/vegan are the ones that my cafeteria has dished out. So, hang in there, guys.

Being a vegetarian/vegan in college doesn't have to be a bland, bottomless pit of salad bar fixings. With a little effort on your part, it can be just as diverse as any other setting. So, keep it up if you’re on the path. And if you’re thinking about it, try it out. You (probably) won’t regret it!