Transitioning from high school to college also includes learning how to survive without Mom’s cooking. If you’re living on campus, you’ll have the option of signing up for a meal plan. Although this isn’t quite like home cooking, it will make dining on campus quick and easy. If you decide to live off campus, be prepared to cook on your own. Browse through our College Cooking 101 section for tips on eating will on a budget and basic culinary skills to learn how to make a solid meal. Remember, you do not need a background in French cuisine to eat well and cheapanywhere.
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Make Smart Choices
Everyone knows about the “Freshman 15.” They are the dreaded 15 pounds (or more) you will gain by replacing home cooked meals in high school with late night pizza runs and junk food to push you through all-nighters. To avoid the Freshmen 15, make time to eat nutritiously during the day so you’re not tempted to order out late at night. If you get hungry in between meals, stock up on healthy snacks, like fruits and raw vegetables, from your school’s cafeteria. Stock up on extra snacks to put in your fridge if you live in an off-campus apartment. Join a club sport go to the campus gym to compensate for a poor snacking decisions. Your tuition fees are paying for you to use their facilities, so utilize your school cafeteria and campus gym.
Mind Your Budget
You probably won’t have time to worry about grocery lists while studying for finals, making plans for Friday night, and picking up an extra shift at your part-time job. Luckily, college meal plans have a list already made, and you can avoid making your own list until after you graduate. If you do decide to shop for your own groceries, local businesses will have a wide range of options for budget-conscious shoppers.
Save that hard-earned (or hard-loaned) money and eat in. You don’t need top chef skills to make yourself a cheap and tasty meal that’s better than a bowl of cereal. Get in touch with your culinary side by investing in a George Foreman grill, or similar kitchen grilling aid, to quickly cook up a chicken breast without a conventional oven. Stock up on basics such as rice, pasta and frozen vegetables. Frozen veggies are not only cheaper, but less perishable. If you’re really adventurous, buy a cookbook with quick and easy budget friendly recipes to expand your skills and wow your roommates. Most importantly, stay on top of managing your budget. Make a list before going to the grocery so you don’t over spend and stress between paychecks and financial aid disbursements.
FAFSA is an acronym. It stands for "Free Application for Federal Student Aid". Please take note that the first word in the acronym is "Free". You do not need to pay to fill out the FAFSA but there are certainly websites out there that will charge you for their assistance. If you are asked for a credit card at any point in the process, you are at one of these sites. If you do not want to pay to complete the FAFSA, be sure to apply at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. The FAFSA must be completed by you and your family each year if you wish to be considered for need-based grants from the college or university you are or will be attending as well as subsidized student loans. [...]
A study abroad program can be the beginning of the most exciting chapter of your college experience. Often, the travel, housing, credits and even food are included in the price of the program you choose. However, this is no reason not to look for more financial opportunities! [...]
As you get ready for this next big step in your life, this last year at home can feel like the longest and the shortest you ever had! While you prepare to select a college and research scholarships and financial aid, don’t forget to spend some quality time with your friends and family. While movies, even when based on a true story, are always a little bit fantastic, they are also works of art that share experiences among their viewers. [...]
