If there’s one thing you’ve already gleaned during your limited time here, it’s that Valentine—Amherst College’s one and only dining hall—is central to campus life. And as you’ve also probably discovered, Val has some notable merits. The local apples served in the fall are delicious, as is the cheesy bread that is sometimes offered in lieu of pizza. The soft serve ice cream and frozen yogurt are unlimited, and there is never a dearth of poultry, thanks to the 39 distinct chicken entrées on the menu. The all-you-can-eat meal plan is a convenient bonus—the iron-stomached can wolf down multiple consecutive dinners, and the sleep-deprived can grab coffee as often as they want between classes.

Despite these perks, many students get sick of Val. As the only dining hall on campus, and a relatively small one at that, it does a decent job at providing us with variety. But by halfway through the semester, when the 14 types of chicken sandwich start to taste the same, you’ve had cereal for lunch three days in a row, and all you want is some good orange juice and a ripe banana, it is easy to get stuck in the Val doldrums.

Because you will be spending your next four years here, and because it is nearly impossible to get off the meal plan (my friend who is allergic to gluten couldn’t even do it), here are some tips to make your Amherst dining experience a pleasant one.

1. Go to breakfast. As a person who generally goes to bed late and values sleep quite highly, I didn’t start going to breakfast regularly until the second semester of my junior year. This was a mistake. Val breakfast is worth the few minutes of sacrificed sleep each morning. The food served in the morning makes breakfast widely regarded as Val’s best meal. There’s also nothing like browsing through a free newspaper while sipping on a mug of coffee/tea/hot chocolate on a brisk fall morning. In contrast to the impenetrable crowds that gather during lunch and dinner, breakfast is much less congested and often quite peaceful. However, be cautioned that during the first week of classes, breakfast can be busy. Each semester, everyone decides that they will be really responsible and go to breakfast every day. For many, this resolve dies by the time Add/Drop ends. Don’t let this happen to you—be one of the people who keeps going.

2. Mix it up! This may seem obvious, but the easiest way to avoid falling into a boring routine is to try new things. Like the bulgogi. Or the corned beef hash, a breakfast favorite of mine that usually draws comments like, “I’ve never seen anyone eat that before. Is it ... good?” Try the vegetarian entrées, even if you eat meat. And if you find one thing you really like, don’t have it every day. I once ate the same salad with dinner almost every night for a month. It was a little bit too much of a good thing, and I haven’t been able to have it since.

3. If you want it done right, do it yourself. There are more opportunities to make your own meals in Val than you might think. The stir fry station is one obvious place to do so. Don’t get stuck using only the teriyaki sauce and curry powder they provide; I’ve seen people make some very creative concoctions using other seasonings and sauces. The sandwich presses also offer opportunities for innovation. You can use them to make a killer grilled cheese with tomato and pesto, or some delicious quesadillas. As for less obvious ways to be creative, check out all the offerings near the end of the salad bar. Take some raw broccoli, sprinkle some cheese on it, and put in it the microwave. Make your own salad dressing—I make one using olive oil, balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard. Use the peanut butter, brown sugar, chocolate syrup and various jams to make your own desserts. My personal favorite is a waffle topped with ice cream, whipped cream, peanut butter and chocolate sauce. The waffle machine is kept on during dinner for a reason.

4. Let the management know what you think. If you have complaints or food requests, put them to constructive use! It’s very common for Amherst students to complain about the food, but much less common for them to do anything about it. The managers are easy to talk to, and they can often be found in the dining rooms. They want to make your dining experience a positive one, and their recent improvements have been impressive. The mixed greens in the salad bar, the Lighter Side, the stir fry station, and the round-the-clock waffle maker were all introduced within the last year. And this year, Val will become more environmentally friendly by composting food waste. If you have an idea, fill out a comment card or let them know in person.

One last tip: if you see a cart emerging from Lewis Sebring and heading into the student dining area, it is most likely carrying desserts left over from an event. Seek out that cart immediately. Lewis Sebring food is better than regular Val food, and Lewis Sebring desserts are very, very good.

Good luck and happy eating!