Boca Raton is home to literally hundreds of dining options from fast food to fast-casual, from family-style to fine dining. You will find your burgers, pizza, Mexican, Chinese, barbecue, sushi, salads, Mediterranean, a restaurant for every palate, and every price point. When coming to Boca Raton to visit your student or tour the campus with a prospective student, what restaurants are must-visit for dinner? Below we give you a breakdown of some of our favorites. Dining in Boca Raton, especially on weekends and during the months of November through April, are extremely crowded. Some of the restaurants take reservations either through their own website or on websites such as TripAdvisor, Yelp or Open Table.

Dinner…

• 2 Georges at the Cove: SE 3rd Ct. Dockside, an outdoor restaurant with a large selection of local seafood. A typical night includes great views of the intercostal and live music.
• Blaze Pizza: Federal Highway: Create your own pizza. This chain restaurant offers its diners the ability to customize their pizza every step of the way.
• Charm City Burger Co: E. Hillsboro Blvd. Fast Burger and Fries Joint, well-loved due to their classic take on burgers. Nothing fancy but it is delicious.
• Cheesecake Factory: Glades Road. The widespread chain restaurant is known for its cheesecake. Huge Menu, something for everyone!
• Dada: Swinton Ave (Delray Beach) Dada is an eclectic restaurant located in the oldest former home in Delray Beach, Florida. The restaurant is situated under large trees strung with lanterns and inside is a rotating selection of artwork created by local artists. The menu changes seasonally and showcases locally grown food.  Their Mojitos along with their watermelon “steak” are legendary.
• Deck 84: Atlantic Ave (Delray Beach) Situated along the Intracoastal Water, this casual dining spot features fresh seafood and several American style options. Come by car or by boat, you’ll be greeted with food and drinks with a tropical twist. Reserve an outdoor dining table for a warm, Florida breeze and waterfront views.
• Dubliner – Located in Mizner Park, this is where you should head if you are craving Irish inspired foods including their award-winning Shepherds Pie, Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash, House-cured corn beef. Full bar and shows all major televised sporting events. Live music and entertainment seven nights a week. Same owners as Kapow Noodle Bar and Dada which we recommend for dinner as well.
• Flashback Diner: Federal Highway. 24-hour diner serving up American diner fare with a Mediterranean flair. Known for their large pancakes and shakes.
• Gary Rack’s Farm House Kitchen: Delray Beach. Gary Rack’s Serves both Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner. They offer “clean eating” options. Their ingredients are seasonal, local and sustainably farmed and each menu item is designed to allow those ingredients to shine.
• I Heart Mac and Cheese– Looking for something a lot more casual? Check out Mac and cheese for grown-ups. About 5 minutes from campus
• Kanapai Sushi: Federal Highway. Sushi and Japanese BBQ restaurant featuring a revolving sushi bar. The sushi bar features boats that float by with fresh sushi and appetizers made by chefs in front of you. The restaurant also features a full Japanese menu and a late-night happy hour with half-price sushi.
• Kapow Noodle Bar: Plaza Real. Located in Mizner Park, Kapow makes a creative twist on classic Asian dishes. Unexpected combinations and larger than life art on the walls make for an enjoyable, hip dinner. Expect a 30 minute or more wait, this a popular spot for students and locals alike.
• Las Fajitas: N Dixie Highway. Classic Mexican Fare. Careful, the Chips and Salsa are addictive.  Las Fajitas serves up tacos, flautas, enchiladas and a wide variety of classic Mexican dishes.
• Loch Bar – Located in Mizner Park, this Raw Bar and Seafood restaurant featuring one of South Florida’s largest raw bars, a substantial whiskey menu and a wide selection of craft beers and handcrafted cocktails. Loch Bar also features live music 7 days a week!
• Louie Bossi’s – Located on E. Palmetto Park Rd. High energy restaurant serving up Italian foods including house-made pasta, wood-burning Neopolitan pizzas, Sicilian entrees and their famous house-cured salumi.
• Max’s Grille: Mizner Park. Max’s Grille has been a staple in Mizner Park for the past 20 years. American style food with a twist and amazing hand-crafted cocktails.
• M.E.A.T Taproom: Federal Highway: A hidden gem, it’s hard to find but worth the hunt. M.E.A.T taproom serves pub-style dishes. Enjoy favorites such as Beer Cheese Soup, Brisket Burgers, and homemade bread pudding. Perfect spot to relax with a craft beer and great food.
• Mississippi Sweets BBQ: Federal Highway. Southern Style BBQ Restaurant with a plethora of comfort foods.
• New York Grilled Cheese– this is what you get when you take a classic grilled cheese out of the frying pan and into a waffle press. Add in their waffle fries in many combos and this is comfort food on a different level.
• Oishii – Located right next to UPark on 20th, this hibachi restaurant also offers sushi and bento boxes.
• Rebel House: E Palmetto Park Rd. Quirky restaurant with some familiar favorites (popcorn as the appetizer!) American Fare with some unexpected Twists. Fun Restaurant with unique twists on old favorites.
• Rise Sushi – One of the more popular Asian restaurants and sushi bar, located on SW 18th Street, not that far from FAU
• Rocco’s Tacos: Military Trail. Mexican Chain restaurant. Try the tableside Guacamole, you won’t be sorry. Rocco’s has classic Mexican dishes and some new favorites to discover. Always a wait no matter what day of the week.
• Willie’s Sushi Bar & Bistro – Located at 5030 Champion Boulevard. One part of the menu is sushi and the other is a bistro menu with a little bit of everything (steak, chicken pasta)
• Yard House: Mizner Park. High-end sports bar with American fare, located in the heart of Mizner Park. A late-night bite menu is a favorite of students.
• Yokohama Sushi: Located at  9168 Glades Road. A beloved favorite of FAU students…in a new location! Cozy Japanese restaurant where sushi is chief. Large menu featuring several types of sushi. Features a late-night happy hour with half-price sushi.

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The start of college is right around the corner and many of you might be envisioning your student’s diet as burgers and pizzas and fries, oh my? Sure, we have been making meals for our kids for as long as we can remember. Before you get ready to go on a cooking frenzy, packaging and labeling items to send with them, stop. Because we assure you, college food choices have changed since many of us went to college. Today’s college campuses, in addition to offering burgers, pizza and fries, offer many healthy alternatives as well as meal plan options.

Freshman The Easy Way

For an incoming freshman who is living in the on-campus residence halls, meal plans are a requirement. My daughter lived on campus so she did sign up for the meal plan. It was a great way to meet other freshmen and learn to make healthy choices. She also had a declining balance card that gave her other meal options. With their meal plans, they can get flex bucks, which is money that they can use for on-campus restaurants. The best meal plan for on-campus residents varies per student. If they plan on eating a lot at the dining hall, there is a plan with 19 swipes per week. It does not include flex bucks and students must eat each meal in the Atlantic Dining hall. If they plan on eating outside of the dining hall for most meals, there is a plan for 7 swipes per week and 550 flex bucks. They also have a couple of meal plans between the two. Here is the link for the meal plans at FAU.

There are various meal plans available that give your student meals in the Atlantic Dining hall or Flex Bucks. Flex Bucks work like a debit account, they are loaded onto your students Owl ID card, your student can then swipe their ID card at any of the dining locations across campus other than the main Atlantic dining hall. Each Meal Plan comes with a varying amount of Flex Bucks. Flex Bucks must be used in the semester the meal plan is purchased.

The meal plans are purchased on a one-semester basis and cannot be transferred to another students. Meal plans swipes and flex bucks expire at the end of each semester.

If your student is an upperclassman or a commuter student, Owl Bucks are a great option. Owl Bucks work like a debit card, it is a declining balance, and is tied to your student’s Owl ID card. This is perhaps the most flexible account for dining as you may deposit funds at any time, it is accepted at various places around campus, there is no minimum balance to maintain and the balance carries forward until you graduate or leave school. Owl Bucks can be used at any of these on-campus locations: Starbucks, the Atlantic dining hall, FAU pharmacy, Campus Bookstore, Outtakes Convenience store, Chick-Fil-a, Dunkin’s Donuts, Pollo Tropical, Subway,Pop-up Food Truck, and all restaurants in the Breezeway Café (Pizza Hut, Einstein Bagels, Wendy’s, and Jow jing. Coming soon.. Panda Express and Maoz Vegetarian). Commuter students can also choose to purchase a meal plan that may be used in the Atlantic Dining Hall cafeteria. Check out their specials here. The least expensive plan is 30 meals (swipes) for $247.27 (that is about $8.24 per swipe). The larger the meal plan you purchase, the lower the per swipe cost is.

Before you buy gift cards to individual restaurants on campus, be aware that they do not accept them on campus.

The choice you make should entail a conversation between you and your student. We would recommend you familiarize yourself with how each program works.  Go to FAU dining services to learn more and make certain you read the contract terms and conditions.

More Options

If your student is adamantly opposed to signing up for a meal plan, they can head to any of the grocery stores by bus or car to purchase the food they need/want (see our blog on grocery stores) or choose amongst the many, many restaurants around town.

If cooking on their own works best for your student, rest assured most dorms have room for a small refrigerator and some do allow for microwaves (under 1500 watts). Many of the dorms also have a communal kitchen- but you will have to bring your own pots and pans.

If the meal plan or cooking for themselves is not working for them, while maybe not the healthiest option, students today can get almost any type of meal delivered directly to their dorms. Check out our Delivery blog to see all the companies that deliver food.

If your student happens to keep kosher, Hillel and Chabad do not offer a Kosher meal plan but there are a few restaurants in town that are Kosher (as well several kosher markets including Grove Kosher Market, Aroma Market, and Winn Dixie). The kosher restaurants are:

Mozart Cafe: located 7300 W Camino Real, Boca Raton FL. This restaurant offers small bites and kosher breakfast food with outside seating that is great for students who want to grab a bite to eat and study at the same time.

Boca Grill: located 8903 Glades road G9, Boca Raton FL. Super close to campus especially since it is located on Glades. It has great reviews for the food and the service.

Chill & Grill Pita: located 7158 N Beracasa Way, Boca Raton, FL 33433. This place is great because it’s almost like a chipotle for kosher food. It is not expensive and the service is great as well. It’s a good place for quick kosher food on the go.

Ditmas Kitchen & Sushi: 21077 Powerline Road, Boca Raton, FL 33433 Talk about a wide variety! This restaurant is sure to be a crowd pleaser, their menu has something for everyone.

Pita ‘N Go: located 22767 SR 7, Boca Raton, FL 33428. This place has a similar vibe as chill and grill pita, it’s quick kosher food on the go. This place has great reviews talking about the quality of the meat and the quickness of the service. On the flip side, some say their prices are a little high.

A Different Type of University Meal Plan

There is a whole new type of meal service that is becoming popular with students who can’t cook, don’t want to cook, don’t want to buy groceries and are looking for an easier, and healthier meal plan.  Known as the meal kit industry, the premise is that they deliver pre-portioned, packaged meals delivered weekly right to your student’s door. Make sure you check out our blog on A College Student’s Guide to Meal Kits. Our interns tested out Blue Apron, Plated, Chef’d (Spoon University) and Hello Fresh.

Of course, you can always send them some of your home-cooked meals!

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Students are lucky to have so many great dining options at FAU, but sometimes the mid-day hunger requires a venture out for a great lunch. Whether you are a student looking for something other than the campus options, or you are a family looking for something yummy after that campus visit, lunch can be the best meal of the day.

Here are just a few of the many great places that the FAU/Boca area offer:

Beehive Kitchen–  About 10 minutes from FAU, they are known for their build your own bowls.

Charm City Burger Company– Located in Deerfield Beach, their burgers are a must.

Cannoli Kitchen: N Federal Highway: Fast Italian food and a large selection of Pizza, indoor and outdoor seating. Don’t miss the chance to try their cannoli, made fresh when you order.

Fran’s Chicken Haven– This is a must when you are craving fried chicken (get it topped on waffles – as they say, “waffles, whipped cream, a chicken breast, and thigh … oh my!”

Fresh Kitchen– Located at 5550 N. Military Trail, great when you are looking for something fast and healthy like their bowls, pressed juices and homemade teas.

Ichiyami Buffet and Sushi– over 100  sushi rolls, chines, all served buffet style.

Kanapai Sushi: Federal Highway. Sushi and Japanese BBQ restaurant featuring a revolving sushi bar. The sushi bar features boats that float by with fresh sushi and appetizers made by chefs in front of you. The restaurant also features a full Japanese menu and a late-night happy hour with half-price sushi.

LocalGreens: Just opened last year, offers a health-focused menu with the convenience of fast food. Provide fresh, local ingredients. You can purchase salads and bowls here and even customize your own meal. Great for on the go college students trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Located at 1841 S. Federal Highway, Ste. 400, Delray Beach.

New York Grilled Cheese– this is what you get when you take a classic grilled cheese out of the frying pan and into a waffle press. Add in their waffle fries in many combos and this is comfort food on a different level.

Oishii– when you are craving sushi and hibachi, less than 5 minutes from campus.

P.F. Chang’s– Located down the street from FAU in the University Commons shopping center, they are known for their Asian-inspired dishes, sushi, dim sum, noodles, and rice.

Playa Bowls– Located on East Palmetto Park Road, try their acai or pitaya bowls.

Ramen Lab Eatery: 2nd Street. A new restaurant in Boca, expect to wait for a table. Ramen Lab offers a variety of Asian Style food and Ramen options that are customizable.

Shake Shack– Located at the University Commons shopping center, down the street from FAU, it is the go-to place for burgers. You’ll probably make many trips here so make sure one of those includes trying their ‘shroom burger.

Tucker Duke’s Lunchbox: Federal Highway. Home of Southern Style Blue Plates specials, Tucker Duke’s features a large variety of burgers, salads, sandwiches, and house specials such as Nashville hot chicken and fried green tomatoes.

V and S Italian Deli– When you are craving a fresh Italian deli sub, this is where you want to head.

Yard House– Located in Mizner Park, this is a great place to go if you are looking for a wide variety of menu options from seafood and steaks to pasta and pizzas and everything in between.

Yokohama Sushi: Federal Highway, Located next to Kanapai. Cozy Japanese restaurant where sushi is chief. Large menu featuring several types of sushi. Features a late-night happy hour with half-price sushi.

Yolk: opened in Boca January 2019. Offers upscale breakfast and light lunch fare. Offers unique twists on classics. Indoor and outdoor seating and is located very close to FAU. 5570 Military Trail Ste. 402, Boca Raton.

Be sure to save this list so you know where to go the next time you visit your Owl!

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Most college kids sleep late. It’s a well-known fact. So, going out for breakfast on weekends, in particular, may not be an option. Brunch, however, is generally a good option on weekends and there are quite a few choices not far from FAU’s campus. However, if you can get your student out of bed early and breakfast is what you want; check out our blog Wakey, Wakey Eggs & Bakey.  Some things to consider beforehand are price and time. It is not unusual for there to be a considerable wait, even with a reservation, on a game weekend or graduation, at some of the more popular selections.

Brunch…

50 Ocean: S. Ocean Blvd (Delray Beach) Located directly across the street from the beach, this second-floor restaurant offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic. 50 Ocean offers up brunch, lunch, and dinner. They are known for their Bloody Mary bar that includes over 30 ingredients to make something unique.

Deck 84: Atlantic Ave (Delray Beach) Situated along the Intracoastal Water, this casual dining spot features fresh seafood and several American style options. Come by car or by boat, you’ll be greeted with food and drinks with a tropical twist. Reserve an outdoor dining table for a warm, Florida breeze and waterfront views. Make sure you sample the Crab Cake Benedict followed by the pastry of the day.

Dubliner: For a real Irish breakfast, try their Sunday Brunch served from 11 am – 3 pm. Chicken & Waffles, Corned Beef Hash, Irish Breakfast, Brisket Grilled Cheese and of course Irish Coffee, Bottomless Mimosas and Build your own Tito’s bloody mary.

Gary Rack’s Farm House Kitchen: Delray Beach. Gary Rack’s Serves Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner. They offer “clean eating” options. Their ingredients are seasonal, local and sustainably farmed and each menu item is designed to allow those ingredients to shine.

Max’s Grille: Mizner Park. Max’s Grille has been a staple in Mizner Park for the past 20 years. American style food with a twist and amazing hand-crafted cocktails. If you are looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, look no farther than the Crème Brulee French Toast.

Park Tavern: Great Sunday brunch spot. Also, open for dinner. But it gets pretty crowded, pretty quickly. Reservations are recommended. The Menu features some unique offers along with old favorites. Great food and cocktails.

Rebel House: Palmetto Park Road. Quirky restaurant with some familiar favorites (popcorn as the appetizer!) American Fare with some unexpected and unique twists on old favorites. Reservations are a must for their Sunday Brunch. They are well known among students for their Eggs Benedict and southern style French toast.

Tanzy: 301 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 561/922-6699 at Mizner Park. Try their eggs, chicken & waffles,  french toast, gravlax plus salads, sandwiches and more. Imbibe in their San Marzano Mary, bottomless Mimosas or Italian Ice Mimosa

The Office: They are located 201 E Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444. A modern, retro gastropub located on the Avenue. Brunch available Saturday and Sunday, 10 am – 3 pm. Try their bottomless bellinis, margaritas, mimosas and Bloody Marys. Pair it with their brunch favorites including eggs, fried chicken & waffles, french toast, omelets and more.

Tom Sawyers – 1759 NW Boca Raton Blvd, Boca Raton. Located near campus, students like their country breakfasts & comfort food.

Tucker Dukes: Located at 1658 N Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, FL 33432. Enjoy a Southern breakfast with everything from eggs, waffles and french toast to shrimp and grits, pancakes and their famous burgers. Add their bottomless bloody mary, mimosa, poinsettia, and bellini for the perfect brunch.

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Best Breakfast Restaurants

Like any city, there are literally hundreds of dining options from fast food to fast-casual, from family-style to fine dining. Hungry for breakfast, you will find your bagels, omelets, pancakes; a restaurant for every palate and every price point. Depending on whether you are touring with a prospective student or visiting your student in Boca, who will undoubtedly be clamoring for a good meal, the options are plentiful. Some things to consider beforehand are price and time.

Another Broken Egg: Via De Palmas. Multiple locations across South Florida, this casual breakfast and lunch spot is a favorite among students.

Brooklyn Water Bagel: New York Style bagels. Hot and ready to be served. If you are a big fan of bagels this is the place to go. They also have iced coffee which you can make yourself and add coffee ice cubes so it never gets watery.

Cote French Café: Plaza Real. French Cafe and Bakery featuring a variety of breakfast sandwiches and French pastries. Great for Brunch, their quiche is a local favorite.

Denny’s: This inexpensive, iconic diner has been around well, I grew up eating here. Open 24/7 every day of the year. Inexpensive spot for every type of eggs, pancakes, bacon, and comfort foods. College students love it for their under $10 breakfasts.

First Watch:  21170 St. Andrews Blvd. Another great breakfast place. Many different options, offers Wi-Fi internet access as well. Pancakes, coffee, and anything else you could possibly want.

Flashback Diner: 1450 N Federal Highway. Open 24 hours. Breakfast is served anytime but they have plenty of other options as well. Cozy diner atmosphere with nostalgia at every turn.

Green Owl Restaurant: SE 4th street (Delray Beach).  Quaint Breakfast and Lunch restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating located off of Atlantic Ave in Delray Beach. Home-style cooking. Cash only.

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe: 1385 West Palmetto Park Rd Boca Raton, FL. Breakfast menu items are handmade, using the best ingredients available, with fresh fruits and vegetables delivered daily,  fresh bread and dairy products. Waffles, Eggs, Pancakes, French toast, omelets and more.

Raw Juice: Glades Road. For the Health Conscious, Raw Juice Features a variety of Acai bowls, smoothies. Raw Juice’s main feature is its organic cold-pressed juice bar.

Sanborn Café: NE 1st Ave. Quaint breakfast and Lunch Spot located near Mizner Park; a great place to sit outside with a cup of coffee and a pastry (or 2)

The Griddle: Spanish River Blvd. Take a step back in time inside this diner, opened in 1945, The Griddle serves up breakfast and lunch. As you sit in a booth or at their counter, take a look around to see photos from Boca’s past.

Tom Sawyer Restaurant & Pastry: Boca Raton Blvd. Quaint country-style restaurant serving up homemade comfort food for breakfast and lunch. Don’t miss out on their breakfast skillets.

Yolk: Their menu is filled with new and creative breakfasts, specialty juices and their own private label premium coffee.  They offer generous portions that run the range from signature specialty dishes such as pot roast benedict, breakfast mac & cheese, red velvet French toast, to our signature pancakes, crepes, French toast, waffles, omelets, and frittatas. Located at 5570 N Military Trail

If brunch is more your style, check out our recommendations here.

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I quickly realized that I needed to place my daughter on a budget when she decided she needed to take her third Starbucks run of the day while at orientation. The university will bombard you with information regarding meal plans, scholarships, FASFA, and financial aid; but an orientation weekend can’t prepare you for the personal decision that is your student’s budget.

After Orientation, her father and I decided to have an honest discussion with our daughter to find the best option that would suit our family’s needs. First family rule; I will not pay for alcohol. I am not sticking my head in the sand and pretending kids won’t go out and drink, but I don’t have to pay for it either. They can use their summer earnings for that stuff. Books and school supplies were to go on my credit card (which was also there for emergencies.) Food, depending on whether your student has meal plans; lives in an apartment (even on campus) may vary.

For our daughter, the best option was to give her $50 a month in Owl bucks. She could use the Owl bucks at any dining location on campus as well as the Book Store and Outtakes stores on campus. We also decided to give her an additional $150 a month for other expenses.  If our daughter chooses to use her allowance up on pedicures and sushi, then peanut butter and jelly can help to balance her budget. The point here is that we are not looking for our daughter to suffer (I assure you she has never endured any sort of agonizing hardship), but rather to learn to budget her money. It is our goal for her to gain some independence by not having to ask us for additional funds. It did take a little adjustment period for her to fully utilize her budget properly, but after her first semester, it truly was not an issue.

Mention to your student to take a look around campus for free activities. There are over 400 Student Organizations on campus. Getting involved in one or more almost guarantees things to do and ways to socialize. Often club activities are included in membership or are fairly priced. Many of these clubs even offer nights where they give members free dinners along with the night’s activities.

Maybe your student has a job while at school and won’t ask you for a thing. My student worked on campus as a tutor for a few hours per week for the four years she was at FAU. She worked about two hours per day, which didn’t interfere with her studies and gave her the extra income to do and buy whatever she needed. Since my student paid for most of her extras, I can honestly say it has taught her to really give thought to her purchases.

Consider having your students get their own credit cards.  It is a great way for them to start learning how to budget themselves while building their credit for when they are out on their own. Read our credit card recommendations.

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Apps, The Easiest Way.

Remember when you were in college and everything was easily accessible via apps on your phone? No? Well, me either. Our kids, however, do live in this world and there are literally apps that provide things like food delivery, tutoring services, how to create a budget or the perfect bibliography. Below is a list of the apps I thought most useful.

FAU and College Studying Apps

• MyFAU gives students access to FAU resources, including campus maps, Web courses, FAU Email, the library, news, sports schedules, class schedules, emergency information, and more.
• FAU Guardian: because the first thing on my list is always my child’s safety.  With FAU Guardian, students can report a problem silently via text. It sort of empowers students to prevent assaults before they get out of hand. View crime around the FAU Campus, trigger Mobile Blue Light to send your location and call FAU PD, a toolbox that contains a flashlight, a safety timer, and the ability to send your location. The app also allows students to enter their own medical information and emergency contacts, in case of an emergency.
• Audible: College can be very busy and many students don’t have time to sit down and read a book for pleasure. Audible allows students to listen to audiobooks on the go. It has entertainment, information, and educational programming. Students can join Audible for a discounted price of $9.95 a month when they verify their student status. They will get three titles every month as well as audio-guided workouts and the opportunity to exchange an audiobook for free.
• CamScanner – as its name implies, this allows you to scan docs and save it as .jpeg or PDF. Great if you need to email or fax an important document.
• Canvas – Just like the website, students can instantly access their Canvas courses for free without having to lug around a laptop to keep up with your homework. You can see your grades, submit assignments, send and receive messages, view content, and modules, watch videos, take quizzes, and more.
• Chegg – Highly recommended. Oftentimes you can rent a book for more than half the price that a bookstore is renting it out. Students can rent, buy, and sell their books. They also offer assistance with completing homework and gives access to tutors, at a cost.
• Coursicle – Need to get into a class? Coursicle will notify you as soon as it has an open seat. $4.99 for premium per semester or free if you refer three friends.
• EasyBib by Chegg – With EasyBib Plus, students can use the plagiarism checker to find missing citations, and fix them before submitting their paper. Also, easily catch writing style and grammar errors with easy-to-understand explanations on how to improve their writing for next time. No matter what citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago etc.), EasyBib Plus will help create the right bibliography. Right now, students get a 3-day free trial of the product.
• Evernote – is a free app that takes note-taking to the next level. Students can brainstorm ideas, make to-do lists, take pictures of pages and sketches, organize everything into a notebook format, and share with others or collaborate as a group. The app even has the ability to search handwritten content; so finding your past notes is easy.
• Fandango Now – Another streaming service offering movie rentals
• Google Drive – Allows students to collaborate with other students as well as share documents, slides, sheets, and other files for class-wide projects and group study sessions. This is interchangeable with Microsoft’s OneDrive app.
• GroupMe – At some point in their college career they will have to participate in a group project, which means the fate of their grade, depends on working together. While GroupMe can’t force the group slacker, should there be one, to pull their fair share; it can facilitate easier communication. It works like a group chat, but, because you don’t have to meet up anywhere, everyone in the group saves time and money by making plans and discussing problems on their phones.
• Grammarly’s mobile keyboard is the personal editor you can take with you wherever you go. Best plagiarism checker & proofreader.
• iHomework 2 – If your student is really organized then skip this one, but I know a few that could definitely benefit from it. This free app can keep track of their assignments, deadlines, and tasks, and plan them out over a certain time period so they’re not left cramming at the last minute.
• iTunes U- if you use Apple devices, this app is a great study tool. iTunes U gives students access to text and course materials from universities across the world.
• LitCharts – is great for English majors. This free app helps understand literature. Find reviews, summaries, themes, and quotes for hundreds of titles without any in-app ads. Think of it as a portable Cliff Notes.
• Mathway – This app is great for college math. It guides students step-by-step to get the solution or check your work to see if it matches up to theirs. One of my daughter’s well-loved apps
• Offtime – This app costs $2.99 and is worth it if you’re looking to disconnect and avoid distractions in order to focus on homework, or studying. It blocks websites, apps, text messages, phone calls, and other notifications for a set period of time so you don’t get off-topic.
• OneDrive – A Microsoft app that allows students to get and share documents, photos, and other files from your Android device, computer (PC or Mac). It allows you to open and save files in Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote).
• Outlook – allows students to easily access their school email on their phone.
• PhotoMath- Another great app for college math courses. Students can take a picture of the equation and Photomath shows step-by-step directions to solve the equation.
• Quizlet – Quizlet is a free study app that allows the user to take other people’s quizzes or create their own. A user can create multiple-choice, matching, true/false, and open-ended questions and use these in various ways, such as flashcards and games. Students can share their “study sets” with others in their class and even encourage a professor to create one.
• RealCalc Scientific Calculator- Although I would never have used it, my son, economics, and business major, may find this one useful. RealCalc Scientific Calculator means students don’t have to lug around that fancy scientific calculator because this free app allows them to complete all of your computing right from your mobile device.
• Scholly – One of the fastest-growing apps after appearing on Shark Tank in 2015. This app matches students with scholarships using specific parameters and customized data. The app can even spot scams and weed out scholarships that require you to give your social security number (did we mention, don’t ever do this).
• Scribd- Scribd complies with all the important files and information to the topic a student may be searching for in one place. Students can create a library on the app and compile the notes, documents, and books that correspond to the topic of their research.
• Student Beans– Instant access to discounts, all you need your student ID.
• Wolfram/Alpha is actually a fancy search engine that can answer questions, perform computations, conduct analysis, and prepare reports. You can get help with complicated algebra and calculus equations or find chemistry, engineering, or physics formulas. This app is $2.99.

Restaurants & Entertainment Apps

• Fandango– A streaming service that offers movie rentals.
• EatStreet – online and mobile food ordering and delivery service provider
• GrubHub – Simply browse menus, pick what you want, and submit your order.  Local suggestions are great and most deliveries are around $3. They run specials if you sign up for their emails, so get that setup.
• Ibotta – is another cash back app that is simple and convenient for students. By taking a photo of your receipts and they will match items you bought to offers that are available for points on the app and give you cashback.
• Insomnia Cookies – As though being able to order and have cookies delivered until 3 am is not enough; they can also earn loyalty points when they order through the app (even if they plan to pick the cookies up). The only glitch may be that sometimes they may be short a driver, so be sure to check first if delivery is what you were hoping for.
• Instacart – For faster shopping and easier checkout, get the app and have groceries, etc. delivered from most of the same places as Shipt, but also includes CVS and Whole Foods.
• Pocket Points – I love this one. It literally incentivizes students to keep their phones out of sight during class. They just open the app, lock their phone, and earn points for the time it is off. Later they can trade the points for discounts at certain restaurants
• Postmates – Another great food-related app like UberEATS. This allows students to deliver food and goods similar to Ubereats. Postmates also has the option for students to have items such as groceries delivered from places such as Winn-Dixie and CVS.
• Shipt – Get 2 weeks free and $15 off your first order on deliveries from stores like Publix, Costco, Target, and ABC Fine Wines & Spirits. Let their shoppers do what your student doesn’t have time to.
• UConnection – A food and drink app with exclusive deals, daily specials and more from restaurants and bars
• Yelp – Always students to find the best places to eat, drink, shop, and have fun. You can also read reviews that other people have written as well as write your own review.
• Zupp (formerly Party Tutor – Allows students to explore local specials and deals for nearby restaurants, apartments, bars, and local businesses. My daughter is a big fan of this one. You can enjoy exclusive rewards at everyone’s favorite bars and restaurants; it’s just $4.99/mo. Download it on your mobile device.
• GoPuff – A convenience store delivery app. Delivery is $1.95. Order anytime; delivery is very fast.
• DoorDash – This is the same concept as UberEats.  They have an easy app that guides you through your order.  They have also launched Project Dash. This initiative helps tackle food waste and hunger in the local communities that they serve.
• Groupon: This is a great app that provides discounts for various things in the area for students to do when they are not studying or going to class. Some examples of what you can find on the app include, escape rooms, shows, fitness classes, and even nightclubs for older students.
• Many restaurants have their own rewards programs so if students go to those restaurants, they can save money. These include Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Panera, Blaze Pizza, Chipotle, Smoothie King, and Chick Fil A.
• For music, many students recommend Spotify and Pandora.

Money, Finances & Getting Around

• Venmo – I am mentioning this because I think it is so easy to use, but your students probably have it already. My kids are the ones that introduced me to it. Venmo allows students to pay each other back for anything their friends may have paid for them; their share of the electric bill, half the groceries, half the Uber ride…and so on. It is also a great app for parents to use to send their students money while they are away at college.
• Uber app (and an account) is a must. Uber allows your students to request rides easily and quickly from their phones.
• Mint – Mint is a budgeting app that helps students keep track of their finances, as well as help them understand where they can make some budget cuts of their own.
• Unidays- Unidays allows for students to easily find out which of their favorite brands or stores offers student discounts.
• Come to think of it, your students should also have the Uber app (and an account) so they never get stuck walking home late at night alone. If they prefer, they can also use Lyft which works the same way as Uber…
• Student Beans will give them discounts for food & drink, fashion, tech and mobile, health & beauty, travel, study, and more.
• Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) – If you like to online shop, but hate spending money then you may get hooked to this app. I use it more on my desktop, but you can make an account to get cashback on so many online stores! I simply look up any store and it will give me a notification if I get cash back and how much I may get back. I personally have received almost $1000 back over the last few years! It is also accepted with Amazon so if students purchase any textbooks or school supplies on Amazon then this app is highly recommended. And when you need coffee, download Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks to pay for your purchase and earn rewards.
• Lyft works the same way as Uber.

Health, Wellness & Fitness Apps

• Calm – a great source to learn to meditate, techniques for sleep, and stress reduction. (There is presently a Groupon for a discount on this app.)
• Headspace – For students who want to improve their mental health, not just maintain it, the Headspace app is the perfect place to start. They offer a ten-day trial. If nothing else, the app is a daily reminder that for ten minutes a day, we all should calm down, breathe, dislocate from any stresses and surroundings, and try to focus on how we feeling on a deeper level.
• MyFitnessPal – tracks diet and exercise to determine optimal caloric intake and nutrients for the users’ goals. Calorie charts, nutrition facts, exercise, and more.  Sponsored by UnderArmour.
• Sworkit – Personalized video workouts that are easy for students to do in their dorm. Also have the ability to choose from pre-built workouts for specific types of exercise such as strength training, yoga, and Pilates. Students can keep track of their progress as they go.
• Wholesome –  Students can find ratings for healthy recipes to make on their own depending on their living situation. They can also obtain personalized nutrition information which helps identify personal nutrition gaps and make suggestions for the best foods to eat. Perfect for students who want to make sure they are staying healthy and eating the right foods while away at college.

These apps are useful and fun too…

• Duolingo – Great app for language-learning.
• ParkByApp – An app that allows you to upload a debit or credit card and pay for metered parking. It also allows you to extend your parking time from your phone without having to revisit the meter. This app is applicable in College Town metered parking and additional metered parking on campus.
• Wag – A Dog-Walking app. Think “Uber” but for Dog services. Affordable and the walkers are all thoroughly vetted. Upon signing up, Wag will send you a free lockbox for your key to leaving for walkers. Wag offers dog-walking, dog-sitting, and dog boarding.
• Rover – This dog sitting service is great when you have class and need someone to walk your fur baby. They also hire dog walkers.
• Target – The Target (Cartwheel) app has saved me so much money. I do not need to buy anything through the app, I simply click “cartwheel offers” and it shows me every coupon that is currently available. I can save as many coupons as I want and when I am ready to go to the store and buy my products, I show them the app barcode and it takes all the coupons at once.
• It’s a wonder we ever made it through school without some of these. There are even more; fitness apps, language translators, and so on, but at the risk of overwhelming you (scroll back to Headspace if I have); I tried to keep my list to only my favorites.

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Let’s face it, these are odd and crazy times! Things look very different at FAU this semester but one thing is still for sure; we all still love to visit our Owls and they love visits from us. There are plenty of different food options that offer outside and patio seating, are operating at 50% capacity indoors, and others provide pick up or delivery to adhere to and cater to potential COVID-19 related concerns. Check out some of these places to eat.

Dining

• 2 Georges at the Cove
• Charm City Burger Co:
• Dada
• Deck 84
• Dubliner
• Kapow Noodle Bar
• Loch Bar
• Louie Bossi’s
• Max’s Grille
• Rocco’s Tacos
• Yard House

Outdoor Activities

There are also many outdoor activities to participate in to make memories in a safe and socially distanced manner.

• Gumbo Limbo Nature Center: About 4 miles from FAU, Gumbo Limbo is a must-see. Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is a local favorite. Gumbo Limbo features a boardwalk, a butterfly garden, a small museum, and large outdoor tanks featuring Florida sea life and tropical fish. Gumbo Limbo is also a Turtle rehabilitation center; they rescue injured or sick turtles and eventually return them back to the wild. Gumbo Limbo also has a canoe, kayak, and paddleboarding tours of the Intracoastal Waterway.
• Tortuga Trail: Located on campus, The Tortuga Trail is a natural scrubland that is home to box turtles, owls, and various species of Florida birds and plants. There are 3 trails within the preserve area, all varying lengths.  The trail is free to FAU students and their guests.
• Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens: About 15 minutes from FAU, Morikami features beautiful, lush Japanese gardens featuring bonsai trees, waterfalls, and flowers. The gardens are inspired by famous gardens found in Japan. Morikami also features several exhibits, a theater, and a café.
• Beaches: We wouldn’t be talking about Boca Raton if we didn’t mention the beach; your student is going to school only about 5 minutes away from one. There are several beautiful beaches and parks right down the street from FAU. Palmetto Beach and Spanish River Park are popular among students.
• For those feeling adventurous, take a trip out to the Florida Everglades. The Florida Everglades is home to several different species of wildlife such as birds, fish, and yes-even alligators. Taking an Airboat is basically a rite of passage in Florida and is a great way to tour this beautiful land.
• Maybe a nice stroll along a beachside pier is what you’re looking for. Head on down to Deerfield Beach, about 20 minutes from FAU, and take a nice walk along the beachfront pier. Fishermen can partake in fishing off the pier; fishing rods and bait are available for rent. The pier is a beautiful spot for taking in some of South Florida’s sights and it’s located on a popular beach.

Regardless of how you choose to visit your student this school year, we hope you make the most of your time with them in their college town by seeing their favorite places (walking or driving), meeting their friends, and catching up on all the fun times they are having. Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out more about how to use HaveUHeard as a great resource. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com.

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As colleges are doing their best to come up with ideas as to how to keep our students safe and healthy as they reopen campuses, we can only hope that our students will adhere to those rules when they leave their classrooms. Let’s face it; it is not easy to enforce social distancing among a population that has a tendency to want to gather. Isn’t one of the best parts of college, the socializing?

We realize we can’t replace a good frat party or tailgate, but there are alternatives to fun near campus and since outdoor fun appears to be the safest alternative these days, we have come up with open-air ideas. Given that we are living under such unprecedented circumstances; we always recommend double-checking on hours, etc. before heading out as activities may be modified or limit the number of persons in each party.

Parks & Beaches

• Beaches: We wouldn’t be talking about Boca Raton if we didn’t mention the beach; some of which are only 5 minutes away. Palmetto Beach and Spanish River Park are popular among students but we also really like these…
• Deerfield Beach – about 20 minutes from FAU, and take a nice walk along the beachfront pier. Fishermen can partake in fishing off the pier; fishing rods and bait are available for rent.
• Red Reef Park – Boardwalk, Ocean, Snorkeling
• South Inlet Park Beach – beach, fishing, picnic areas with grills, (no balloons allowed in the park)

For something a little different, check out:

• Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens – lush Japanese gardens
• Yamato Scrub – hiking and nature trails

Restaurants that have outdoor space for dining.

• Casa D’Angelo Ristorante
• City Fish Market
• Dubliner Irish Pub
• Duffy’s Sports Grill
• Farmer’s Table
• Gary Rack’s Farmhouse Kitchen
• Lion and Eagle English Pub
• Max’s Grill
• Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar
• Tanzy
• The Rebel House
• The Tin Muffin Cafe
• Tomasso’s Pizza & Subs
• Tucci’s Fire & Coal Pizza
• Tucker Duke’s
• Yard House

Of course, if you notice that your student is experiencing any type of stress or anxiety from the new rules on campus, there are resources available. Learn more in our blog The Stress Happens to All.

Here’s to a safe and healthy school year for all. Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out more about how to use HaveUHeard as a great resource. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com.

The post How Will Students Stay Safe, Sane and Happy this Fall appeared first on HaveUHeard.com.

Eating healthy can be a difficult task on a college campus. Meal plans, rushing to and from classes and activities, budgets, the amount of burger, pizza and fast-food restaurants surrounding FAU, and, of course, late-night food runs definitely compromise our student’s plan to not gain the Freshman 15 and stay in shape.

Recently, college students everywhere have demanded healthier and higher quality food options. While it may be easy to grab that slice of pizza in the Café, FAU offers a wider variety of healthy options for eating in the dining halls. FAU is located in Boca Raton, a city that is ideal for the health-conscious. There are many healthy dining options surrounding FAU that have quickly become student favorites.

• Beehive Kitchen: Located at Fifth Avenue Shops 1914 NE 5th Ave, Boca Raton about 10 minutes from FAU, they are known for their build your own bowls.
• Fit Foodz Café:  Located on Clint Moore Road, Fitz Foods takes a healthier spin on many classic dishes. Fit Foodz also has a smoothie and juice bar as well as a bakery.
• Fresh Kitchen: Located on Military Trail, Fresh Kitchen is a casual, counter-service restaurant offering healthy, fast food. Fresh Kitchen strives to use local produce and proteins, therefore, their menu changes based on availability…
• J&J Fresh Kitchen: Located on St. Andrews Blvd. Offers a variety of Juices, protein shakes, soups, salads, and wraps. J & J Fresh kitchen only uses locally sourced produce, therefore the menu can change based on what local produce is available that day.
• Muscle Maker Grill: Located on S Federal Highway, Pride themselves on making healthier versions of everyday meals. They have large and small meals, smoothies, bowls, soups, pasta, and meal plans too.
• Nature’s Way Café: located on FAU Boulevard (near the back entrance to FAU) Fresh, healthy breakfast and lunch fare. Nature’s way offers a variety of healthy sandwiches, wraps, and soups.
• Playa Bowls – Located near FAU on E. Palmetto Park Road. Great place for smoothies, Acai bowls, juices, poke bowls, and more.
• Raw Juce: Located on Glades Road. Raw Juice uses local and organic fruits to create their cold-pressed juices and Acai Bowls.
• Souvlaki Fresh: located on NE 2nd St, a Casual Greek restaurant, Souvlaki Fresh prides itself on using Mediterranean style cooking while using the freshest and highest quality ingredients.

A few great tips that helped my student make healthier choices while on campus:

Wake up thirty minutes earlier and have breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and a healthy start will make the rest of the day smoother. A healthy, filling breakfast will help to curb the cravings for that bag of cookies in a vending machine. Make a quick shake in the morning, or keep oatmeal packets, or get to the dining hall early enough to eat. A veggie omelet makes a great start to your day. Eating right gives you an advantage in studying!

Plan ahead. Think about your schedule of classes and everything else. Even study time, when snacking can be practically essential, takes planning. It will just make it easier and studying will go better if you have smart snacks rather than things that will make you full and tired. My student, when she was getting ready to start studying for finals, would make up little snack bags. She would put sliced apples, grapes, nuts, or carrots in these snack packs and just take them along wherever she was going to study. For those of you that have kitchens in their dorms or live in an apartment, meal prepping is your friend. Invest in some plastic storage containers. You can cook rice, quinoa, or even whole-wheat pasta in bulk. Then you already have a healthy base to top with some chicken or add to almost any meal. You can even add the quinoa to a salad.

And, of course, you will want to combine exercise with that healthy eating regimen. Check out our suggestions in our blog Staying Fit. Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out more about how to use HaveUHeard as a great resource. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com.

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