<p>I am looking into other options instead of the meal plan. If I don't get a meal plan, how does it work? Any suggestions? Do I bring my own food? How do I prevent others from eating?</p>
<p>All Freshmen living in USC Housing are required to participate in the Meal Plan Program. </p>
<p>If not a freshman, you eat wherever you want around campus.</p>
<p>FYI-- even after freshman year, in some USC owned housing, you are required to have an apartment meal plan. </p>
<p>When mine went off campus, for their first semester out of a dorm, I bought a smaller 25 meal plan just for backup. They also offer a 50 (per semester).</p>
<p>After freshman year, I put money on her USC card that she could use on campus. Great back up, no need to commit to a certain number of meals.</p>
<p>Having an guy that doesn’t eat fast food, having a few swipes came in handy just for something different than Lemonade when on campus. After that first semester out of the dorm, he began preparing a lot of meals himself, yipee, life skills! Agree that money on the USC card makes things easy or can just use debit/credit card too. </p>