College Survival Guide: The Dorm Life: Meals and Dining Halls ~ Hazelfresh Live

Meals. No more dinner time provided by ma and paps. You're on your own now. Well, not quite. Your meal plan will make things seem even better than home, giving you access to big buffets of food. This is where the freshman 15 comes into play.

There is so much food that freshmen usually overeat simply due to the appeal of all the different items offered. To avoid the 15 you need to recognize your eating habits early on and make sure you dont fall victim to overeating. It is way too easy to do it.

Next thing goes along the lines of social etiquette. It is lonesome eating all by yourself in a dining hall filled with chatter and groups of people. Unless that is what you like to do, try and find friends to eat with. Eating with a group of people is usually more fun than eating on your own. Try eating with your new roommate if it isnt too awkward. Gives you a chance to bond with them.

It is a good idea to write down the hours the dining halls are open. They usually run strict hours and once it is past them you cant get in and you're out a meal. Sometimes campus convenience stores (C-Stores) offer meals like sub sandwiches after the dining halls have closed to feed those students who missed the hours.

There isnt much else to be said about eating in the dining halls. Youre bound to run into people youve gone to high school with, people youve seen in class, girls you've smiled at and have smiled back. You all come to the same place to eat... so you might as well get used to it. Dont awkwardly pretend like you didnt see them. You both know you saw each other, and if you dont say hi, every encounter from there on will be just as awkward.Saying hi how are you never killed anyone!

Cooking on your own in the dorms is a challenge. Unless you have a fancier dorm with a community stove available, say good bye to home cooking and hello to microwave meals and leftover pizza. Some handy things to get...