We all audaciously claim to never succumb to the “Freshman 15” as we take our first steps into college. I mean it’s all about willpower in the end. However, little did I know that my guilty pleasure instincts would become inflamed as I journey through the taxing and toxic environment called college. Midway through first semester I decided to embrace my cravings. Let them satisfy me, motivate me, and define me. Although there aren’t enough pages in the world to encompass all the junk food I consume, there are eight iconic foods that allow me to overcome every demanding situation I have faced so far in college.

1. Coffee

My name is Ankitha and I am addicted. As I take on the infamous 8am labs, the ubiquitous Hillman dates until 3am, and the endless lectures given by monotonous professors, coffee never ceases to be my go-to solution.

2. Coffee Toffee Bar Crunch Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream

In life, success always met failure. But... life still goes on. At least I try to reassure myself of this over a disappointing grade. Nonetheless, I have a bad grade ritual that always soothes the pain. A box of tissues, Netflix, and ice cream. I snuggle up in bed with my favorite sweatshirt and watch an episode of Greys Anatomy, dreaming of my future as a physician, sniffling periodically about my exam, and of course last but not least ravenously eating my ice cream. Ice cream never fails to be key accompaniment to my Netflix binge session and it is the food that melts my negative energy.

3. Chester's Flamin' Hot Fries

Two dollars worth of absolute heaven. If the phrase “you are what you eat” was actually true, I would be a hot fry. Honestly, it’s terrifying how many bags I go through in a week. If I had to choose one junk food that identifies my life it has to be Chester’s Flamin’ Hot Fries. They have gotten me through the best of times and the worst of times. The times when I procrastinate on a paper, when I spend a total of four hours on OWL for chemistry and even when I need a quick snack in between classes. Somedays I go through the whole day without eating anything else. Thank you to Chester’s Flamin’ Hot Fries, for being my source of food when I’m too lazy to eat at market and for nullifying my workout sessions every day.

4. Pizza

To be honest, pizza is probably one of the most iconic foods of college students. After an intense, crazy night with your people, Antoons and Sorrentos are flooded with hungry, intoxicated people. However, I prefer a much more laid back night with some of my closest friends sharing stories and watching romantic comedies, while excessively complaining about our lack of love lives while ironically and voraciously engulfing the three large pizzas we ordered. The oily, cheesy, combination of bread, marinara sauce, and cheese is the staple food and the delightful end to any rough, wild, and emotional night.

5. Brookside Dark Chocolate- Pomegranate Flavor

It is the night before an exam and of course I am up at 3 am studying. The only thing I need right now is chocolate. In fact, my cravings for chocolate are so intense that sometimes I go to 7/11 in the middle of the night to get chocolate. If 7/11 accepted dining dollars, I would probably spend half of it there. Anyway, chocolate is the staple dessert to any meal. In fact, dark chocolate actually stimulates the brain, so it’s a fabulous food to indulge in right before an exam. And besides, its chocolate covered pomegranate so I am technically eating healthy.

6. Taco Bell

Having a Taco Bell within a mile of my residence hall is a fact I never fail to remember. As it is probably my favorite fast food place, a guilty pleasure for sure, I always love treating myself to a taco bell meal at least once a week. You could say that a majority of my dining dollars goes toward Taco Bell (thank goodness they don’t charge for the sauces).

7. Mac & Cheese Bites

Market to Go Mac & Cheese Bites are definitely my go-to on the go snack. As busy college students, we don’t always get the luxury of being able to sit down and have a meal. Which is why, Wings and Things at Market to Go has a variety of highly fatty to go options such as French Fries, Mozzarella Sticks, Onion Rings etc. My favorite is Mac & Cheese Bites with no competition. The tasteful mix of fried Mac & Cheese is the highlight of my day especially in situations when I have to choose between eating or sleeping. The sleep inducing chemicals in my body overcome the hunger ones and I see myself excitedly and guiltily buying Mac & Cheese Bites.

8. Ramen

Sweat pants, hair tied, chillin with no makeup on... oh and with Ramen. That basically sums up my entire weekend. Most people would choose to dress up and hang out with their friends during the weekend, but I more often see it as an opportunity to wake up at noon, stay in my sweat pants, eat junk food, and of course study. During weekends, I take a break from Hillman because that requires me to physically get out of bed and look presentable. However, staying away from social contact and eating ramen all day is obviously so much more appealing. Ramen is the perfect study and Netflix snack during the weekends. My storage under my bed is, embarrassingly 75% ramen. Sometimes, if I’m too lazy to walk all the way to Market to Go or 7/11 for a midnight snack, I definitely reach for my assorted flavors of Ramen