I'd recommend against getting a meal plan if you live off campus. I had one at first, and while it was a bit more convenient I was spending way too much money on campus food. Cooking for yourself is cheaper, healthier, and often better tasting- getting into the habit early doesn't hurt.

Incidentally, most of the money was spent at Bridges. Agreed that its the best food on campus.

Depending on how far you commute a campus meal plan may be a good idea even if you prefer to make your own food.

It takes me an hour to go home and an hour to come back. Around exam time and midterms I never get a chance to go home to eat.

Also, if you end up with classes first thing in the morning, and evening classes you might be stuck on campus for two meals+snacks. I learnt eventually that I just couldn't pack enough food.

Also the place across from the University isn't that good. I'd go to one of the places in westdale that were mentioned already for Shawarma.

Originally Posted by JeetDevDesai

I just have another quick question:

Which is better meal plan if you are living off-campus?

or

No meal plan at all would be better?

I lived off-campus last year, and never really got the point of the Freedom Plan. Its suppose to make the food tax-free, but that isn't really consistent for all stores, and if you're not getting the tax off, then there really is no point in getting a meal plan. Straight up cash is a lot simpler, and far more versatile.

But ya as the OP said, it depends on how much you decide to eat on campus. I didn't eat on campus at all cause I lived pretty close to West End, The Hub, and Fortinos. It was just easier for me to grab something from those places.

Oh and if you're thinking of living off-campus, I'm gonna add a few more "advices":

1) DON'T live off-campus first year. Just live res. There is a lot more to do when ur res

2) Don't sign a 12 month contract if your renting later than May. Most landlords are kinda desperate right now to find people to rent their places, so get an 8 month contract, and bargain with the price as much as possible. Trust me, there isn't much demand for rentals after May.

3) You're microwave is your best friend. You're gonna be pretty busy, so find foods that can prepped with microwave. Oh and your brown, so a rice cooker is a must

4) If you're not renting a place with a group of people you know, then pick the place based on who lives there, instead of how nice the place is. You'll get used to a smaller room. You won't get used to living with douche-bags.

I wish I knew how awesome the food at bridges was, that cyclefit at the pulse was included in you're pulse membership, to look for textbooks that other students were selling because they are almost always cheaper than what titles charges (even for used!)
Another thing a lot of people don't know about is the centre for student development. I worked there last summer an they have a tonne of resources such as personal counseling, academic skills workshops, ELS support, test and exam deferrals and note takers for students with disabilities...I would honestly keep the CSD in mind, they can be extremely helpful during stressful times!! They are locted in the basement of the student centre room B107

Originally Posted by MacPack

this is what scares me about engineering classes..being surrounded by too many nerds.

That's an attitude you're destined to lose eventually. When you start needing nerds' help, you'll be glad they're there.

Originally Posted by MacPack

this is what scares me about engineering classes..being surrounded by too many nerds.

You can run but we will find you and make you groan with our lame Chemistry jokes.
Resistance is futile.
Surrender now.
We expect your dignity on our doorstep by dawn at which point we shall mail you your Harry Potter glasses.

Thank you guys for answering my question about the meal plan and all

BUT

i forgot to say that I CAN'T COOK FOR MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!

so now if you please help me choose what plan is good?

Originally Posted by JeetDevDesai

Thank you guys for answering my question about the meal plan and all

BUT

i forgot to say that I CAN'T COOK FOR MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!

so now if you please help me choose what plan is good?

I assumed u can't cook. Ur a guy...it goes without saying that u cant cook.

Like I said, get a microwave. If you want, you can get one of those coolers, so you can just bring food from home.

Originally Posted by lmasud

I assumed u can't cook. Ur a guy...it goes without saying that u cant cook.

Like I said, get a microwave. If you want, you can get one of those coolers, so you can just bring food from home.

I am coming from British COlumbia.......so idk if bringing food from home would be such a delicious idea!!! lol

Also what type of laptop would be better at mCmaster?

An apple or microsoft?

I was thinking a mac would be better since mcmaster is called mac and all!

I have a mac, and the only issue i've had with it is that minitab (the software used for stats2B03) doesn't work on macs. I could solve this problem if I partitioned my hard drive, but I'm far too lazy. Either type of computer should be fine.

i am not gonna take stats so a mac should be good right?

Most science programs require stats, as well as many professional schools, so it's too early to say for sure that you won't takes stats. I hate hate hate stats with a passion but got screwed into taking it as a prereq for pharmacy. But, even if you do take stats, and you have a Mac, you can do the stuff using Minitab in the computer labs on campus. So, yes, a Mac will be fine.

Originally Posted by JeetDevDesai

i am not gonna take stats so a mac should be good right?

Basically, if you know what you're doing on a PC, you'll save some cash getting that and you'll likely get a more powerful computer (especially important for gamers). If you're one of the 75% of University students who seems to feel the need to click on and run every sketchy thing they can find online on their PC, you should probably pony up for a Mac, it'll save you from yourself and it's shiny and has great battery-life.