Cookie Jar

Everyone loves something that is free. And why is that? Obviously, because it's free. It costs you absolutely nothing in order to have it, and that is a very good incentive to have it. There are tons of ways to get free food, from entering sweepstakes to just going to events with free stuff.

Everyone loves food. And why is that? Because it sustains you and keeps you alive. Plus, food tastes good.  Most people have a favorite food (or foods) that just lifts their spirits when they eat it. People follow food blogs (like this one or maybe this one) just to learn about the new things being thought of for our stomachs.

Put those two together and you have: FREE FOOD.

I wish I woulda known to take advantage of whatever free food is offered before this year. I'm realizing now how many opportunities on any college campus involve some sort of free food, although the first few weeks of freshman year I tried. Obviously I forgot about it and didn't take the free food after about two weeks. Especially at the beginning of the year, free food is at every turn. Different clubs, from the College Dems to GWU IFC to whatever else, offer welcome barbeques. Maybe your major offers welcome back nights (like mine did a few weeks ago, and I literally went, stuffed a piece of pizza in my mouth, grabbed a soda, and left...hey, don't judge. I had a meeting to get too and it was free so why not!?).

There are student organization fairs with free candy and snacks. There are coupons in the school newspaper for free and discounted things at local restaurants, as well as coupons put in dorms. Anywhere you go, you might find free food.

You may be wondering, why is this important? Well, as you may know as a current college student or a past one, a college student is perpetually broke. You might have your meal plan, but it can only go so far and satisfy your cravings so much. And when you're at your worst and just want that nice meal from your local Thai place, for example, you realize that OH CRAP I'M BROKE.

But, if you take advantage of the free things when you can, you might just save enough so that doesn't happen to you much. It can really help. Trust me - I've had that craving multiple times and multiple times realized that the money on my meal plan card is low or that my wallet is empty.

In addition, it's just free. You aren't losing anything from taking it, and you're gaining a full stomach. You don't have to worry about finding something open or figuring out what you want to get because its there and you have to take what is free (it'd be extremely awkward to be like, "actually, can I get this hot dog cooked only on its left side and with the ends cut off?"). Free is simple. And simple is good because college isn't simple and life can sometimes be really hard.

So, I advise taking that free food when you can. If a friend offers to take you to an event with free food (and maybe an open bar - which is even better and if you said no you're friends will think you're crazy), take it. Maybe the event you go to is benefitting lupus research and is having steak for dinner, like happened to me once last spring (it was awesome). If you notice on the weekly email from the university that there are events with free food listed, go. Whenever you see something you can go to, do it, because it will definitely be worth it.

Always,
Caroline

"Cookie Jar" is by Jack Johnson.