When You Live Off Campus...

Students who live off campus no longer have the luxury of walking downstairs in their pajamas and eating breakfast in the cafeteria. No, now they have to fend for themselves, braving grocery stores and more often, take-out menus. 

Cooking

Cooking is the healthiest and cheapest option for most students. Plenty of recipes are quick and easy, so if you have a kitchen and some pots and pans, you're good to go. 

Buying food at grocery stores is cheaper than eating out every day, and you can keep more food on hand. 

Also, you're in control of what you cook and eat, allowing for a more balanced diet, if you choose to follow one. 

Eating out

Obviously, eating out is a popular option. You don't have to cook, and the food you get is 

probably better than what most college students even could cook. It's also faster, since many restaurants offer food to go, so when you're pressed for time, it may be the best option to eat a full meal without sacrificing study time. 

However, meals out can get expensive. You pay for the convenience of not having to cook it yourself. Also, since you're not the one preparing the food, you never know exactly what goes into it or just how many calories you may be consuming. 

The closest options to USC's campus mostly lie along the Figueroa corridor. Restaurants along here are primarily fast food, such as Panda Express and Taco Bell, meaning choices for students who want a quick meal are limited to places with mostly unhealthy options. 

Free food

Many events on campus include some sort of meal or food offering. Whether it's pizza with a lunch lecture, or refreshments during a reception, if you look you can find a free meal. 

Students on a budget may find this most helpful when they're reaching the end of the month or semester, and don't quite have enough to make it until the next paycheck or trip home to Mom and Dad.