When you first get in the swing of eating on campus, odds are you're going to make some questionable decisions.

Whether you are eating in Bostwick, The Bison, or The Commons, there are definitely some huge DON'Ts that you should try to avoid.

1. Don't Waste Your Money on Bison Salads

I'm not saying you should avoid getting your veggies and leafy greens, but if you are getting your salads at The Bison everyday, you are getting ripped off. You pay by weight for salads there, so if you want a decent meal that will actually fill you up, you will run out of dining dollars fast. However, if this is your style, try these Caf salad recipes. 

I would instead recommend getting your salads at The Commons Cafe. They're chopped, have a much better variety of toppings, and you can choose from a decent range of protein.

You can build a much better salad at The Commons and they don't charge based on weight so you can get everything you want, doesn't that sound better?

2. Don't Miss Tomato Soup Day

The Cream of Tomato soup is one of my absolute favorite things to eat on campus. It's perfect for lunch or dinner and it's especially amazing when you aren't feeling your best. Don't wait until the year's almost over to see how great it is. 

#SpoonTip: Don't miss out on the classic grilled cheese and tomato soup pairing. One power move I've learned is to also add tomato and bacon to your grilled cheese. You can thank me later.

3. Don't Take the Caf for Granted

As a freshman, it’s easy to get sick of going to the Caf for every meal. But when you become an upperclassman, you’ll easily miss all the unlimited food the Caf has to offer. Whether you grab food from the egg bar, stir fry station, or the pizza counter (or all of the above), you will miss it when it costs $13 to swipe into the Caf. 

Plus, the Caf is arguably the best social experience of Freshman year. You may dread it when you run into your last weekend hookup, but your hall will bond there and you will all connect over your fourth different bowl of cereal.  

 4. Don’t Overdo it on Late Night Food

We all know how tempting the late night bacon, egg, and cheeses are, but the freshman 15 is no joke. Don’t get rid of them all together, but be mindful of the hundreds of calories you are consuming after dark.

Although college is the prime time to eat full blown meals at 10:30 at night, you will inevitably notice your clothes shrinking when you go home for winter break.  Instead, try one of these (doctor approved) late night snacks.

5. Don’t Count Out the Terrace Room

The Terrace Room is arguably one of the most underrated dining halls on Bucknell’s campus. Open only at lunchtime, from 11 a.m- 1:45 p.m, the Terrace Room is all that you could want for lunch. They offer plenty of sandwiches and wraps, soups, and salads.

So if you’re looking for a more low-key lunchtime experience, be sure to check out the Terrace Room.

6. Don’t be Afraid to Get Creative

Regardless of where you’re choosing to eat on campus, there are plenty of ways to spice up your everyday meal. Thanks to plenty of Caf hacks, or Bison hacks written by fellow Bucknellians, you have plenty of inspiration to think beyond the typical dining hall menus. This way, you will never get bored and you will always appreciate our fabulous dining services.