The transition from high school to college can be a scary and confusing time. There are piles and piles of things you have to learn and do differently just to slightly make the transition easy. Along the way, there are people to assist you in registering for classes, finding your way around campus, and moving into your new dorm. 

However, there seemed to be a greater amount of confusion for me coming into college when I was trying to decide which of the many food plans to choose from. There are many different choices which all includes different benefits. But don’t stress, there are a few various ways to make sure you find the best plan to fit your personal lifestyle. 

Review all of your options

It is important to review all of the plans before you begin to get an understanding of the type of plans you are working with. There are a couple different categories to help you get started.

Underclassman Residential Student Plans

These plans are designed for freshman who live on campus in student housing.

• Weekly 12 – This plan provides 12 swipes per week, and it also has 390 dining dollars. This meal plans costs $1,875
• Weekly 10 – This plan allows 10 swipes per week, and it comes with 610 dining dollars. This plan also costs $1,875

Common Access Only

The common access only is a smaller option designed for people who live off-campus.

• Access 40 – This plan has 40 swipes into the commons, and it costs $370 which makes each swipe worth $9.25.
• Access 80 – This plan has 80 swipes, and it costs $700. This brings each swipe being worth $8.75.
• Access 120 – This plan comes with 120 swipes worth $8 dollars a piece which makes this the best deal. This plan costs $8

Dining Dollars Only

These plans allow the student to eat at the various options located across campus including Chick-Fil-A, Panda Express, Starbucks, and others. This was also designed for students living off-campus

• $100 Plan- This is worth 107 dining dollars which is a 7 percent bonus.
• $200 Plan – This plan is worth 220 dining dollars. That is a 10 percent bonus.
• $300 Plan – The plan has 336 dining dollars with a 12 percent bonus.

Consider food preference

As a freshman, I always preferred to go to the commons over any of the restaurants that accepts dining dollars. However, not everyone would want the same. “I have the Weekly 10 plan, and I like that one because it has more dining dollars,” said Taylor Dean, freshman.

If you want a larger variety of food, the commons is looking like a better choice for you due to the constantly changing menu. “Our menu is constantly changing,” said Mark Siegfried, Commons employee. “We are constantly adding new dishes and adding new combinations every week.”

Keep your schedule in mind

No-one can argue with the fact that college is a very busy time. Sitting down at the Commons three times a day may sound like a good plan, but time may not always permit.

“I am a nursing major, and I have to study all the time which leads me to just picking up take-out from Panda Express more times than not,” said Sydney Twardos, freshman.

When I was a freshman, I tried to kill two birds with one stone through using the Commons. I would swipe into the Common early in the morning to eat, and then I would study and work on homework for the majority for the day. This allowing me to eat multiple times on a single swipe while still being studious.

Make a decision

Now that you take different aspects into account including living arrangements, food preference, and time, you can now make decision. In the end, any of the choices will provide you with excellent food, but it is up to you to decide which will benefit you the most as you explore your first year in college.

If you have any other questions regarding dining services, the KSU Dining Service has a website which allows anyone to ask questions.

For the average Joe, it is a challenging task to go to the gym and leave with the feeling that you actually completed a successful workout. Exercising consistently is something that we are told that we should be doing in our busy lives, but these sources never provide details on how to make the exercise worthwhile. Although they are not widely expressed, there is a variety of different strategies.

Choose the best gym

Everyone can contest to the very large range of options when it comes to gyms, and that actually works for your benefit. Every gym has its benefits which can better help the patrons get the most out of their workout.

When deciding on a gym, it is very important to keep a couple things in mind. You should consider variables such as price, level of intensity, and types of equipment offered.

Here are a few examples of the more well-known gyms.

Planet Fitness — this is by far the more affordable option for consumers with the base starting price being $10 a month. Planet Fitness also strives in making a gym for people to feel comfortable in working out without judgement from others. This is a great choice for those who are not as experienced in the gym.

LA Fitness — although the price is a bit higher at $30 a month, you get what you pay for. Along with the higher dues, the gym goer receives access to classes, racquetball courts, and swimming pools. Therefore, this is a great choice for someone who is looking for a little higher end gym.

iLoveKickboxing — this gym which revolves around boxing in order to make the gym more enjoyable. The prices begin with a starter package which includes three classes for $19.99. iLoveBoxing is a excellent choice for people who want to be guided in a workout that will also be fun for anyone who attends.

Obviously, these are not your only options when it comes to choosing a gym. Before deciding, is important to shop around different gyms to find out about prices and the overall atmosphere. It is your decision at the end of the day for what gym would best fit you.

Bring a workout partner

If you have ever worked out with a partner, we can all mostly agree that it is better than going through the pains of working out alone. There are countless benefits of working out with a partner to help you get the best possible work out.

Here are a couple reasons to have a partner:

• Added motivation to push through hard workouts
• Additional knowledge on how to properly do exercises 
• Safety when lifting heavy weight
• Sense of competition to help push you
• More enjoyable

Don’t be scared to try new workouts

The gym is full of a very wide variety of machines and different workout equipment. The odds are that you have not used each of the machines. However, that shouldn’t stop you from trying them out.

It can be hard to take that risk of looking clueless when trying to figure out how to use the newly discovered machine, but it will pay off in the end. Using different equipment and workout types will work different muscles or even the same muscles differently, and this will be crucial in getting better results.

There are plenty of staff in the gym who get paid to help people use the equipment properly, so don’t let your pride keep you from asking for help. It is important to use each of the machines the correct way for safety reasons and overall effectiveness.

The gym should be a fun place for everyone. Go into the gym with a positive mindset and the willingness to learn, and it won’t be a complete disaster for you!