Let’s face it, college is hard. Between the homework, studying, date socials, parties and basic responsibilities it can be hard to make time to cook a quality meal. Cooking takes a lot of planning, organizing and time we just don’t have. However, being busy does not mean you have to sacrifice staying in and cooking for yourself, or being unhealthy either! Here are some simple hacks to whipping up a quick meal or snack when you’re in a rush:

1. Microwave scrambled eggs in a mug

Eggs are one of the easiest and healthiest dishes you can make yourself, and they don’t just have to be for breakfast! It only takes about 2-3 minutes in the microwave to whip these up, and you can personalize as well! Just whisk together two eggs, salt, pepper and a splash of milk in a greased (or buttered) mug and pop it in the microwave for 45-second intervals two times. I like to add cheese to mine, but you can add anything you like!

(Hint: there are actually a TON of mug recipes from savory to sweet, so be sure to experiment!)

2. Using your waffle iron as a panini press

That waffle iron that has been pushed to the back of your cabinet could be getting a lot more use than just to make a sweet treat! From grilled cheese and hot sandwiches to pizza, this iron can do a lot more than you think. If you’re in a pinch for time but want that Panera quality lunch, pop it in a greased waffle iron for a few minutes and you’ve got an easy, yet tasty meal!

3. Overnight Oatmeal

For earlier risers, it can be almost impossible to feel like making yourself breakfast even though we’re told it’s the most important meal of the day. So, instead of trying to cook half asleep, grab a mason jar and fill it with oats, your favorite milk and yogurt and let it soak in the fridge overnight. You can add mashed bananas or even honey or maple syrup for sweetness. Then all you have to do in the morning is grab and go!

4. Crockpot soup

Now I will admit, this one takes at least one day of planning. But it’s something that will last the whole week! I like to take Sunday’s to find a delicious soup to make where all I have to do is throw everything in the crock pot and let it cook all day. Once it’s all cooked you have meals for the whole week! Or you can freeze it to make it last longer!

5. Making more than just coffee with your Keurig

Besides that hot cup of coffee your Keurig produces each morning, you can use it for other things too! It pipes out steaming hot water pretty quick, so you can use it to make tea, soups and even pasta! This takes away from the time it would take to boil water so it’s convenient on the go.

So, there you have it! A few simple and easy hacks to making prepping meals just a little bit easier. Of course, there are tons of tricks and tips out there, but these are the ones that have benefitted me the most, so give them a try!