Considering Meal Plans at LSU

Kinda stressed here, I'm preparing to attend LSU in the fall and I'm unsure about the meal plan situation, specifically the options and costs. Those of you who are at LSU or have been, how did you go about choosing a meal plan? How was your experience with it?

Firstly, keep calm! Choosing a meal plan is a part of college prepping, and it's reasonable to feel unsure. While I can't speak from personal experience, I will share some facts to hopefully give you some sense of direction.

LSU offers different meal plan tiers depending on your needs and individual eating habits. For first-year on-campus residents, the Residential Tiger Plan is required. This gives you unlimited access to LSU's five main dining halls (called "The 5").Many students find unlimited dining hall access beneficial, especially in their freshman year as they're adjusting to college life. They don't have to worry about cooking, and they can eat as often as they like.

If you think you won't eat many meals in the dining hall, you can switch to the alternative Commuter Tiger Plan which is set up with a certain number of meals per week. Do note that you still have the option of eating in the dining hall, but it won’t be unlimited.

Pricing for these plans is typically updated yearly, so I'd encourage you to check LSU's official website for the most accurate cost information.

Now, about the experiences of students. They are quite varied. Some students love the convenience of being able to grab a quick meal near their dorm. Others find more value in the flexibility of the Commuter Tiger Plan as they don't spend much time on campus or prefer cooking for themselves.Ultimately, the choice depends on your lifestyle, habits, and personal preference. I would consider your eating habits, possible locations of your classes, and how often you plan to be on campus. Don't forget that you can always adjust your plan as you go, as long as it aligns with LSU's policy on changes. You're not locked into one choice forever!