<p>Daughter will be a junior living in On Campus Apt this fall. We are trying to determine whether to purchase the 200 Block Meal Plan or Simply give her grocery money and make deposits onto her Phoenix Card for eating on campus and around town. Can someone with experience please comment and advise. </p>
<p>My son lived off campus and found the 200 block meal worked well for him. He is very active on campus so frequently had at least one major meal on campus each day. He bought cereal and fruit for breakfast for his apartment and sometimes buys the fixings to make his own lunch.</p>
<p>Also wanted to add, I don’t remember the exact details - but my son told me that if he buys food on campus with his Phoenix card, there is a discount compared with charging the same exact meal on his credit card. So, he is doing the 300 block plan next year as a junior and will supplement that by adding funds to his Phoenix card.</p>
<p>My older son lived in the Oaks apartments for 3 years with the 300 block meal plan. He mostly used it for Chik-Fil-A on campus, deli combos at the Colonnades and stuff at the Acorn. In other words, lunches and between meal snacks. We paid for groceries for breakfasts and dinners at home (although I will admit he was usually dating a girl willing to cook for him).</p>
<p>Okay…along this thread…enrolling freshman daughter who obviously will live on campus this fall. Any tips, pointers or ideas on how to manage the meal plan most effectively. I can imagine the strategy for teenage males and females could be decidedly different.</p>
<p>As a freshman, your daughter will be required to buy one of the All Access meal plans – the “Blocks” are not available. For details, read here: <a href=“Meal Plans - Elon Dining”>http://www.elondining.com/meal-plans</a></p>
<p>The most popular plan allows for 7 “exchanges” per week. My daughter uses her exchanges at the Acorn and the Varsity Sports Grille.</p>
<p>I am impressed that you parents know where your kids eat on campus. I have no idea! </p>
<p>Haven’t done it in a while, but we used to log in and actually be able to see the specifics of the account, like where the card was used and when.</p>