Diva with the Dining Dollars

Seniors envy us.  Hungry boys all of a sudden are attracted to us.  You recently have a frenzy of friends who want have meals with you.  Yep, you’re the girl with the extra dining dollars at the end of the semester.
 
It never fails: now coming to an end of my 4^th semester at BC, I still have money to spend in our dining halls.  No matter how many times I swipe my card, I still consider the amount of money on our meal plan, as freshmen and sophomores, to be a bit ridiculous.  Sure the prices are somewhat high in our dining hall, but I still seem to have a bit more than what you would call “spare change” at the end of the year.

Instead of literally having that money be wasted, I mean you already paid for when you paid tuition, why not make the most of it?!  Here are some ideas of how I have learned to spend my remaining dining dollars:
 
Go on a “dining date.”
Far from traditional (you’re paying and it’s in a dining hall), but your guy, who probably is lacking in his money for munchies, will love it.
 
Snack Attack
Load up on all your munchies for those evening study sessions, afternoon snacks, or late night cravings after the dining halls close at 2 AM.  Those Cool Ranch Doritos and Rold Gold Pretzels have my name written all over them!  With finals coming up, you will need some food to fuel you up!

Make amends with friends.
Need time to talk to your friend or make a mistake and want to know how to make it up to someone?  Offer to buy them a cup of coffee or meal.  Not only are you willing to spend time with them, but you are also willing to pay which may make them more accepting and forgiving.
 
Bring coffee and pastry to a professor.
I’m not usually one to brown-nose but it isn’t a bad idea to get on your professor’s good side right before finals.

Order a cake.
Whether it be for a birthday, finishing a test, or just because cake is GOOD.
 
Have a movie night.
Invite some friends over for a movie night but instead of meeting in a dorm, have everyone meet in the dining hall and they can each grab something beforehand to have during the movie.

STOCK UP!
Last year I loaded up on Diet Coke, Smart Water, cereal, and Odwallas before I headed home and my parents were so grateful that I saved them some money grocery shopping money, now that they had two more mouths to feed when my sister and I returned home for the summer. 
 
Try something new on the menu.
Is there something you’ve been eyeing all year but unsure if you will like it? Questioning whether you would like a Veggie Burger from Addies?  Want to splurge on Late Night and not care about the calories? Well NOW is your time!
 
Goody Bags for the “Goodies” in your life.
For all those friends who did favors for you, made you laugh, invited you places, or were just plain there for you, this is a nice way to remind them that you appreciated it and will miss them over the summer.  Ask your friends for their favorite candy or other small treat and end the year on a good (nibble) note.
 
Bring food to a food bank.
There are plenty of Food Banks in Boston and drop-off locations nearby for you to drop off non-perishable items for those who need them the most.  Before you go, check to see what foods they do and do not accept.
-The Greater Boston Food Bank: www.gbfb.org
-American Red Cross Boston Food Pantry: www.bostonredcross.org
-Allston-Brighton Food Pantry: www.abfoopantry.org
 
Photo Sources:
http://images.agoramedia.com/everydayhealth/gcms/bad-habits-that-make-you-healthier-02-pg-full.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eleFqCqVDqM/TOWzW5vA-lI/AAAAAAAACUU/fk_SwurKdAo/s1600/gbfb.gif
http://www.bc.edu/dining
http://www.gilmorenews.com/uploads/2011/04/gilmore-girls-rory-lorelei.jpg
http://www.legaljuice.com/snacks%20chips%20pretzels.jpg