There are a lot of rumors and myths about college that aren't true. You don't have to know what you want to study when you step on campus your first year, many students will take more than four years to graduate, and you don't have to join greek life to be social. Unfortunately, though, one rumor is pretty much true across all school campuses, no matter where you go: the dining halls leave a lot to be desired. Sorry, but prepare to live off the cereal bar and subpar taco Tuesday buffets for a bit. Plus, get ready to run into your crush, your ex, and every other person you know on campus every time you try to grab something to eat. Luckily, though, you have time to prepare and stock your room with some yummy snacks so that you can supplement the mystery meat lasagna and satisfy your late-night craving without having to put on a bra. Here are 21 snacks to keep in your dorm so you will never go hungry during your four years.
Pulling an all night study sesh to cram before a big exam can do a number on your energy levels. When you need a pick me up, grab Frooze Balls double-filled energy balls to recharge.
When you're on the go and need a quick bite to eat, grab some veggie crisps. Packed with tons of flavor, these tasty treats are made with farm-picked veggies that are so good that you'll honestly forget you're eating peas, beans, and lentils.
If you're looking for a snack that's safe to pass around the dorms, Abe's muffins are it. The delicious treats are vegan and allergy-free, making them perfect for students with digestive intolerants and other dietary restrictions.
OK, rice cakes may seem totally bland, but that's kind of the point. Spread whatever you want on them and they become a delicious receptacle for Nutella, avocado, you name it. Plus, they're super easy to store. They do get messy, however, so just make sure you have a mini vacuum on hand.
Speaking of things to spread on rice cakes, you may want to consider keeping a jar of almond (or peanut) butter around. Of course, make sure to check in with your roommate about allergies before bringing food into the room.
If you can kill a whole tub of hummus in one sitting, you aren't alone. It's the perfect thing to put out when you have some friends over for a study sesh. Now, you just need some carrots, chips, or pretzels to dip into it.
I can't be the only one who needs to be constantly snacking on something when I study. That's why popcorn is such a go-to study snack, it seemingly never runs out, and you can eat tons of it without feeling sick. Trust me, you're going to want to stock up on this one.
Can you even have a list of college snacks without including ramen? I mean it's a classic for a reason. Whether you're hungry after a late night out, or you can't bear to think about eating dining hall food for a fifth night in a row, ramen is always here for you.
Yes, your dining hall may have a good cereal selection, but sometimes you don't want to see everyone you know just to get a bowl of Apple Jacks. So, it's always smart to keep a good selection of cereals in your dorm room (and milk in your fridge).
OK, I have to include a few healthy options here to appease the parents, but trust me, you'll be happy to have a yogurt to grab when you're late to your 9 AM class and you feel like you haven't eaten in days.
While we're talking breakfast, let's give a shoutout to oatmeal. If you know you have time management issues in the morning, put a bowl of oatmeal and milk in your fridge overnight so that it's ready to go the second you wake up.
Protein bars are another great snack to always have on hand. You never know when you're going to find yourself in the library for an all-night study sesh, so make sure to always keep a few of these in your backpack too.
Carolyn Twersky is an associate editor for Seventeen covering celebrities, entertainment, politics, trends, and health. On her off time, she's probably watching Ru Paul's Drag Race, traversing NYC for the best donuts, or, most likely, enjoying time in her favorite place in the world: her bed.