No matter your age, demographic or walk of life, I’m willing to bet on the fact that at least once in your life, you’ve heard the term “broke college student” before. Those three words have been used together since what seems to be the beginning of mankind. And as a college student, believe me when I say it’s not a myth. We are broke and hungry.
I’m sure I can speak for a majority of my peers when I say I spend at least 10 minutes of each day reminiscing on the lovely home-cooked meals I used to receive every night back at my parents’ house. Good times.
But now that I’m off on my own, dining options are a little more limited. Or maybe a lot more. Thankfully, I’m being kind of dramatic and my situational hunger isn’t extreme, so I don’t have to worry too much about where my next meal will come from, but I’d be lying if I said I never wished to have a list of feasible dining options when I was a freshman. I had to learn the hard way.
However, I’ve decided to turn my hardships into your convenience by creating the ultimate list that’ll help you survive your entire college career. Here are some dining options you’ll want to take advantage of:
1. On-Campus Dining
If you have the luxury of doing so, you should always consider this being one of your very first options. Though it’s not literally free, campus dining hall fees are often included in your tuition or paid for beforehand, so you won’t have to worry about coming out the pocket any time you wake up in the morning feeling like you haven’t eaten in weeks.
I’ll be completely honest with you though, after a while, it may start to seem a bit repetitive. Unless your campus has seasonal options on the menu, don’t be surprised if you find yourself eating pizza for the 12th Friday in a row.
But don’t let that discourage you from seeing the big picture. An on-campus dining option will always serve as your old reliable. If it’s open and you have swipes, you have a guaranteed meal waiting for you.
2. Food Stamps
In my opinion, this dining option is severely slept on. If you’re living on your own and are eligible to receive them, they could be a life saver.
Depending on the state you’re in, the requirements for eligibility may vary. Just so you have an idea, here’s an example. In my state of Georgia, I am required to work a total of at least 20 hours. The amount you’re rewarded is dependent upon the amount of your financial responsibilities in comparison to the amount of your income.
Now this is what you can consider free food (if we’re excluding the fact of paying taxes). You can either load up on groceries to last you a while, or you can buy individual meals here and there whenever you find it to be convenient. Completely on you.
Cookouts/Kickbacks
As bad as this may sound, one of the first questions that come to mind when my friends ask if I want to go somewhere is whether or not food will be present, and who’ll be making it.
Take advantage of these opportunities as much as possible. If you have to, act like that one family member that you barely ever see other than holidays when food is around. Become that guy. Don’t leave any leftovers. Make some to-go plates. Closed mouths don’t get fed, literally.
Food always tastes better when it’s free anyway!
Finesse The Food
The fundamentals of food and viable dining options we’ve discussed should have you set in your times of hunger. As college students, it’s like we never knew how expensive grocery shopping can get until we’re on our own and it’s time to spend our hard-earned money for it.
With that said, start and continue to exhaust your resources. Finesse your way to the food and have no shame. Sharing isn’t caring when it comes to our food and we need it by any means!
What dining options do/did you use as a freshman? Anything we didn’t list? Let us know in the comments!
