Freshmen, we all know that you’re super stoked to enjoy that first meal at the dining commons of your choice. The sad truth is, you'll be hella over it within a month. So to make sure your dining experience is worthwhile, here’s a big tip that you should live by: use your imagination when it comes to your food. Here are a few ideas to get your mind on the right track:

• Put some ice cream in one of those burning hot dining commons cups, then add root beer/Coke/soda of your choice.
• When they have the cookie bars at DLG, microwave one and top with vanilla ice cream.
• When they have the sundae bar at Ortega, take a green apple and dip it in the hot caramel. Add nuts/sprinkles to your heart’s content (and then add a little more).
• Instead of using just ketchup on those delicious shoestring fries, dip them in Thousand Island dressing instead.
• Granola, honey, and peanut butter on a banana are to die for.

Some are stranger than others, but all are delicious--and definitely better than another sad bowl of cereal.