Today, a new crop of students received acceptances to our institution, a bastion of intellect and preternatural talent. The new Columbians who we’ll meet either at Days on Campus or in the fall are, like everyone already here, pretty damn smart.

But all those skills with textbooks, exams, and essays don’t necessarily entail real-life know-how or common sense. Many current Columbians will agree that transitioning from households of families to virtually independent living is no easy task. We’re not actually adults now, right? That can’t be what that high school diploma meant.

And what is the most important, fundamental human task that we need to tackle on our own? Eating.  Yes, as first-years, we are required to purchase meal plans and many can bring themselves to fathom a year or more of John Jay and Ferris after that.

But for the rest of us, those of us who simply cannot handle, day in, day out, alternative grains, overcooked pasta, and country fried steak (maybe it’s good? I can’t bring myself to try it.), we have to learn how to feed ourselves—and not succumb to the easily-accessible world of overpriced Manhattan food.

“How?” you ask? I am by no means an expert, but I will provide the meager amount of advice I can offer after almost a full year of feeding myself and still having some money to spare. More »