So, you now have your CatCard — and if your parents pay for a meal plan, it seems almost like Monopoly money. There’s a food court that you can go to whenever you want, without emptying your pockets to do so. However, all of those fast-food delights are going to lose their appeal after a few months, and on top of that, are way overpriced. Even students with a fixed meal plan can be smart about what they buy and get plenty of mileage on every dollar. Here is a bit of guidance on eating as a college student:

Be aware of “Happy Hour” and other savings
While the Student Union Memorial Center may change their weekly food discounts from year to year, there is usually some sort of deal going on. Sometimes it will reduce the price on a specific day or time. This is a great way to save money while slyly allowing for more frozen yogurt outings.

Go to Park Student Union
Many incoming freshmen who don’t live in Coronado, Arizona Sonora or Arbol De La Vida residence halls don’t even know this place exists — on Park Avenue, north of Sixth Street — and it’s a hell of a lot better than SUMC. PSU’s crowd is much more sparse during the afternoon, and offers superior food choices for those bored with Chick-fil-A and Burger King. The top level of PSU has a large, comfortable seating area and a few good food options, with custom sandwiches, wraps, burgers, chicken strips, fries and smoothies. The bottom level includes Bagel Talk and La Petite Patisserie, a quaint booth that serves up both sweet and savory crepes.

Try not to always depend on campus food or dining out
Going out to eat can be fun, and it’s great when you don’t feel like cooking. University Boulevard, just off campus, has some nice restaurant options, including Pei Wei, Paradise Bakery and Frog & Firkin. Give Pasco a try, especially if you’re looking for vegetarian options. That being said, it’s also good to cook for yourself every so often. Safeway, on Broadway Boulevard and Campbell Avenue, and Fry’s, on Grant Road and First Avenue, are fairly close by, so pick up some groceries and spend a night in the kitchen with a few friends for a refreshing change. Also, the amount of money saved going to the grocery store for food makes it all the more worth while.