With all of the chaos in the student world, one can be sure that food — no matter what kind you choose — will never let you down. The end of term brings a looming sense of despair for many students, and by now, everyone can use a friend to lean on. Food can definitely be that friend, and there are many establishments on campus just waiting to be utilized.

Caffeine is one of the first vices students turn to for a little pick-me-up. To get your fix, you can partake in the Canadian flavour competition between Tim Hortons and Starbucks. At both of these establishments, you can get cold drinks that soothe and hot drinks that give you some necessary warmth.

There are many culinary services on campus that offer a diverse assortment of food and drink to choose from. It’s never a dull day — or a hungry one — if you so happen to stroll through the many types of eating and drinking establishments surrounding the Bowl.

Speaking of bowls, as an avid soup lover, I can always count on a bowl to cheer me up when I need it. The most popular soup spots on campus are the Agriculture Café and the Arts Café, and they usually have three soups of the day to choose from.

If you are having a busy day and just can’t find the time to settle on a certain type of food, Marquis Culinary Centre offers a quick solution to that. Every day, a new menu is provided according to the specific meal times. This is not the only buffet on our campus, however, as St. Thomas More College also has a great buffet available at Choices, with a comparable meal plan. Trust me on this, nothing says “comfort food” more than an allyou-can-eat buffet.

If you’re still not satisfied, and you know how you like your food, there are options on campus where you can have direct input on how your food is made. Harvey’s in Lower Place Riel and Subway in the Physical Activity Complex both allow you to say what you want on your food. The Arts Café and Agriculture Café also have personalized sandwich options.

Procrastination is bound to happen, and if you don’t have time to buy a meal, you can always find a treat to celebrate all of the hard work that you’ve accomplished. A simple chocolate bar from our many vending machines could just do the trick. You can never go wrong by adding a bit of sweetness to your life.

Brownies are a personal favourite of mine, in terms of comfort food, that I make at home. They are easy to bake, and they bring comfort with the first bite. If you’re running low on ingredients, myfridgefood.com will give you recipes based on the items that you have in your own home.

Pasta is another great comfort food that you can easily make at home. But if you’re like me and always on the go, Vanellis in Lower Place Riel offers all kinds of pasta — cooked right in front of you.

All in all, comfort foods are absolute blessings. Whether you are stressed or just need an environment to settle down in, comfort foods allow you to take a break and treat yourself. Throughout the turmoil of finals, it’s a good idea to step out of the picture for a while and just relax. Though it may be difficult to control the things surrounding you, your choice in comfort foods can always be your guide towards a better day.

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Tasnim Jaisee

Graphic: Laura Underwood / Layout Manager