It’s surprising, but making time for meals is a new challenge now that I’m in college. Throughout elementary, middle, and high school, I took it for granted that breakfast would be waiting for me every single morning. On top of that, there were designated times for lunch. And usually, your parents would be there to either order or make dinner for the family.
But now, wake-up times fluctuate, swipes are savored and classes get in the way. There are days where I don’t eat a full meal until 1 pm. I literally cannot find time to sit down and eat, save for packing a few snacks.
On days where I’ve utilized every minute of my available sleeping time, a full breakfast is not possible to fit in. Then there’s another class. And another. All of the sudden, it’s 3:30 and I realize I’ve only had a few snacks.
On top of not having time to swipe in, there’s also the need to be frugal with dining points. It’s sneaky, but those dining points go fast, especially when you remember how many times you’ve been to the GSU Starbucks this week.
Thankfully, I’ve worked out a meticulous eating system and it’s easy to follow. On days where I wake up late, I make sure to leave a little before my class to either heat up some microwaveable oatmeal or stop at Starbucks to pick up a croissant. This way I can go to class with something in my stomach, and after, have time to grab some lunch. If I wake up late, travel snacks are a necessity.
Making time for your meals is definitely an adjustment in college. It’s another sign of your independence—you have to grab your own food rather than it being provided. You have to work for it a little bit. But don’t let it get to 3 pm and realize that your stomach is completely empty. Like I said before, tasty snacks are a must for the on-the-go college student!
Cover photo credit: Boston University