As a former college student I remember what it was like during Thanksgiving.  Some students from out-of-state couldn’t afford the plane ticket home and back, so they stayed in the dorm during break. 

We’ve come up with different ways college students that are stuck on campus for the holidays can celebrate Thanksgiving and eat a proper meal. Check out the tips below:

RESTAURANTS
There are a number of restaurants that serve Thanksgiving dinner.  The question is: Where are they?
If you’re a student at UCLA, there are three places close by that are open and serving Thanksgiving dinner. 

1. Palomino, open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 10877 Wilshire Blvd. for $27 a person
2. Napa Valley Grille, open from 12 to 8 p.m. at 1100 Glendon Ave. for $60 a person. 
3. Jerry’s Famous Deli, open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 10925 Weyburn Ave for $18.95 a person

For USC students, the majority of the restaurants will be closed or open for part of the day on Thanksgiving.  You can check Yelp or other websites to see if any restaurants near USC will be open.

COOKING IN THE DORM/APARTMENTS
For those students that are staying in the dorm and have access to a kitchen, go to the nearest grocery store and buy the following items to make an easy Thanksgiving dinner:

1. Rotisserie chicken as your turkey
2. Instant mashed potatoes
3. Canned corn
4. Canned peas
5. Canned cranberries
6. Box of stuffing
7. Bread, biscuits or croissants
8. Pre-made pumpkin pie

It would be best if there were more students involved to help pitch in for the food.  Each person can volunteer to bring a food item or utensil -- the more people helping, the better.

Here are directions to cook the meal once you have everything:
1. Slice the chicken into slices or smaller pieces and serve on plates.
2. Put the corn and peas into the saucepan and add a low amount of water and cover with a lid to steam the vegetables. 
3. For the box of stuffing, read the label and follow directions. 
4. Place the canned cranberry into a dish and keep cold. 
The end result will be a great meal that you all helped make and enjoy away from home. 

COOKING WITHOUT A KITCHEN
Now, for students that do not have access to a kitchen but have access to a microwave, there are always frozen dinners.  You can get these in a grocery store close to campus.  Three are not that expensive, they each equal a large meal.

Try Hungry Man Dinner, Banquet and Marie Calendars frozen dinners. All three have a traditional Thanksgiving dishes of turkey, stuffing, gravy, vegetables and cranberry sauce.  Just make sure you see the back or side of the box for cooking times. 

GO TO A FRIEND’S HOUSE
Students stuck on campus can always go to a friend’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. If you ask nicely, it most likely will not be a problem for your friend.