College meal plans involve prepaid dining credits that you can use to dine on campus, and most bigger colleges have them in store. They’re a great option if you want to avoid cooking at the dorm and spending money on eating out, and here are three things you should keep in mind when picking your plan.
Consider Your Lifestyle
There are several lifestyle factors you should consider when picking your meal plan. If you’re a light eater and don’t have a very strong appetite, it’s probably best to stick to one of the cheaper options, covering the basic three meals. Also, take your schedule and sleeping habits into the account—there’s no need to pay for breakfast if you’ll skip it every morning.
No Plan At All?
A college meal plan doesn’t come cheap and you might be tempted to ditch it if it’s not mandatory. If you live off campus and have your own kitchen, cooking your own meals instead of paying for a college meal plan is worth considering, but you can also opt for a flexible meal plan when possible.
Rollover Policies
Ask for a meal plan that offers a rollover from the fall to spring semester or even to another academic year if possible. This way, you’ll make sure that the money you paid for your meal plan isn’t going to waste. If you’re left with extra meals at the end of the semester, see if you can pick up nonperishable foods.
