<p>In terms of flex/points/meals, every case in different based on the individual. Here’s a simplified guide :)</p>
<p>Meals- can only be used in the four dining halls, all you care to eat buffet style, served during major meal times</p>
<p>Points- 1/1 dollar ratio can be used at any food court/mini market around campus or in the dining halls if you run out of meals</p>
<p>Flex- not part of the meal plan (totally separate) can be used anywhere points can be used, mostly used for laundry!!! and by off campus students who don’t have a meal plan but want the convenience of using their student id</p>
<p>A typical meal plan looks like this: 12 meals a week (refreshes on Sundays) and approx 200 points per semester (lots of meal packages are offered with additional points, if you choose to pay for that). Once you pay the flat fee you can choose however many meals you want per week and the accompanying points are adjusted. You usually get a couple of weeks to figure out your schedule and change your meal plan for the semester after classes start. For instance, if you have an a-typical schedule with no time to sit down during typical lunch times, you’re going to want to get more points (for on-the-go meals at the food courts and buying food at the markets) and less meals in the dining halls. If you have a very accommodating schedule with plenty of time to eat, you’re going to want to get more meals and less points.</p>
<p>Parents- don’t let your kids fool you, a lot of the points will go to the mini-marts, there’s a reason they call it the freshman 15!</p>
<p>One last very important thing to remember- you WILL NOT eat breakfast every day, no matter how much you say you’ll get up before your 8am to get those pancakes. So don’t bother getting more than 14 meals a week (and let’s be real, you’re going to order out for pizza at least once a week.) </p>
<p>Hope this simplifies the options for points/meals/flex!</p>