Dear readers,

Fun fact: I just got my first breakfast block meal in Davies this morning as a second-year student.

Why did I not do this until now? Because sometimes ordering new food at school still terrifies me.

I didn’t touch the pasta stand until the beginning of this semester because I didn’t know how it worked, and now it’s my favorite food in the whole place (Also, the lady who serves the pasta is the sweetest person ever).

I remember during my freshman year, I was so scared to get my first block meal. I didn’t fully understand how they worked, and nobody really explained them to me.

I ended up getting the grilled cheese and tomato soup block, but apparently the fries I added to the block meal didn’t count. I immediately felt stupid and had this irrational fear of ever getting a block meal again.

I understand the feeling of being scared to get block meals with your platinum meal plan. The instructions are often unclear, and the fear of trying something new results in skipping a meal.

This story is your guide to block meals so you no longer have to feel that crippling anxiety when it comes to picking out your food.

Every lit-up sign above the food stands in Davies Marketplace will show the food they serve. Some of the options will have a “B” next to them, meaning it’s a block meal. Some items in the freezers will also have a “B,” but make sure to pay attention to labels.

The infamous Erbert and Gerbert’s has a sign with select sandwiches labeled as block meals. These blocks come with chips and a drink. Additions to the sandwiches and special sandwiches are extra money.

Every block meal in Davies comes with a fountain drink or select drinks from the freezers. Drinks without the “B” cost money.

The Cabin in Davies also has block meal options, including hot coffee, muffins, yogurt and other options. All crafted coffee drinks cost extra.

Now for everyone’s favorite: Einstein’s. Einstein’s has select breakfast sandwiches labeled as block meals. Additionally, any bagel and shmear are block meals. These block meals come with a drink (hot coffee or a fountain drink) and chips/fruit. All special coffee drinks are extra money.

Blugold Dining has a full PDF guide on its website detailing exactly what you can get at each location on campus. I would suggest looking at it and picking one to try. Trust me, it’s less scary once you do it once.

To finish, here are some pieces of advice I would like to leave you with:

Don’t be afraid of the workers. They’re very nice and willing to help you if you need it. If you ever feel like one of them is being judgmental of you, just ignore it. You’re learning, and that’s okay.

That brings me to my next point, which is that every part of your college experience is a learning process. Everything might not make sense right now, but utilize your resources and try new things.

Finally, I know it can be tempting to skip meals when it feels too hard to get food, but please fuel your body. You will feel so much better afterward. Your brain and your body need energy, especially as a college student.

So, go and try that food you’ve always wanted to try. It will be worth it in the end and a million times less scary the next time you do it.

Lots of love and hugs of encouragement,

Skyler

Schad can be reached at [email protected].