The Hunger Games.

11:00am marks lunch time for me. With an hour to munch away, there are many options to consider when eating as a commuter student, here are a few I've experienced.

1. Kicking it Old School (Lunchbox Style)
2. Cafeteria
3. Starvation

Some more efficient then others, but time being the enemy, I can only choose one of three options.

Kicking it Old School (Lunchbox Style)

At first, being enthusiastic as I approached the commuting lifestyle, every night before bed I would prepare a nutritious, healthy, fully packed, lunchbox. Usually consisting of a turkey or chicken sandwich on wheat bread, granola bar, apple, juice box, some dried fruit, a Capri-Sun for hydration, and a Snickers for dessert. Preparing your own lunch, you can choose to eat healthy, and avoid the weight gain that all college students are exposed too. It is convenient to wake up, shower, get dressed, grab my lunchbox and head-out. Then come lunch time, you can find a decent place to sit down and munch, without worrying about figuring out where you can find some grub.However, preparation is a pain in the you know what. Even though it takes less then 5 minutes to prepare, some days I just don't find the energy in myself to commit. Though, I strongly recommend preparing your own lunch, it saves time during the day, and is far less expensive then eating out.  So, that leads me to my next point, improvise.

Cafeteria!

Preparing a lunch for each day, is not very practical for less motivated students, every now and then I find myself waiting in line at the campus cafe. Though it is an even more of a hassle to walk across campus, wait in line, pay cash, and then by the time you receive your food, 20 minutes has passed. However, ordering from the campus cafe, I have noticed that it is much more filling (and delicious) , then anything I can prepare myself. On the other hand, it is VERY expensive, spending $7 a day on a meal is much more then the $3 I spend per meal when shopping myself. Every now and then, it is a nice little treat, but only once in awhile. There is one more option, but it isn't very joyful.

Starvation.

I do not recommend this, but sometimes you have to resort to simply not eating until you get back home. Whether it is because you forgot to grab your lunch and have no money, or you don't have the time, eating nothing for a day is inevitable. It has happened to me numerous times, due to feeling of exhaustion, I try to avoid this at all possible cost.

Overall, when it comes to college dining, you have to be conscious of how you operate. Make sure to have a few dollar bills for the cafe, in the case you forget lunch. But, if possible be sure to bring you own grub, it will save time and money!

A Day in the Life.

The heading explains it all. As I sink deeper into the commuting lifestyle, I can see my life shape before my eyes. From 9:00 am-5:00 pm it is a life filled with classes, friends, and fun! As the clock turns 5:00 pm, all this ends and I drive away. Let's take a look at the day in the life, of yours truly...

Waking up-Heading to class...

After showering and a cup of coffee, I enjoy a egg-white sandwich on an everything bagel. Packing a lunch, I grab my backpack and rush to school, not sure if I'll make it on time but somehow I always manage to squeeze through the door of my 9:00 am class just in time. Every morning seems like a rush when you have to prepare for a commute.

Class-Lunch Break...

The first two classes are the worst, half asleep, I just try and manage to write the things down I need to do and plan on doing them later. At lunch time, from 11:00 am-12:00 pm for me, I walk back to my car and eat my lunch. I know, why not eat in inside? Well...a 19 year old carrying around a lunch box, come on. Instead, I sit and listen to music, and munch on a turkey sandwich and whatever else I manage to stuff into my lunchbox. When I finish early, I leave my car and head to my next class. Waiting for the doors to open at 12:00, I usually study, chill with friends, or resort to my phone for games.

Class-End of Day.

At this time of the day, my energy level is at its max...usually. I spend the next 5 hours in lectures and labs. Two hours in, I munch on an apple-cinnamon granola bar, and sip on water throughout the day. Trying to absorb all the knowledge possible in class, I have no time for homework or studying. As the day finishes up, I pack my things and return to my car.

Commute-Apartment...

Now, I am starving, my roommate (brother) gives me crap for grabbing a sandwich because he hasn't eaten either. Usually after a day of classes, there isn't much work, as I only have class every other day, so I head to the gym. Upon returning home, my roommate has dinner ready, and we eat. As you can see from the picture, we eat pretty good. Of all the things I have learned, cooking good meals is probably the best of them.

 From 8:00 pm-bed, watch television (sports center or family guy), and depending on my motivation, I may chip away at some homework.

As you can see, this isn't the exciting life that a lot of people imagine. It's not that I don't have fun, but on a daily basis, this is what you can expect. Weekends are a whole different story.