When exams approach and temperatures drop, there are some basic things that keep every student alive. A hot drink in-between study sessions for example. Cute videos featuring kittens. And, besides those things, a solid lunch. That is all I am asking for to not lose my mind throughout October. Coffee, cats and lunch. But nevertheless, in those times of stress and despair, we were abandoned – the Refter is no more. And I am shattered.

That being said, the Refter obviously still exists. But it is no more than a wrecked shell of its old self at the moment. I recently ate a completely unsalted and dry vegetarian chili and paid over five euros for it. So we now have a raised price, ruined food and reduced portions. To call it a disaster would be an understatement. Am I not suffering enough already, knowing that my Statistics and Psychopharmacology exam fall on the same day? Apparently not.

I know, the budget cuts hit us all. But did we really have to hit one of the main food sources on campus almost unconscious? And what are the alternatives? The line at the Cultuurcafé around lunch time is long. The line at the Spar is even longer. So the best alternative close-by is getting a sandwich at the central library. And even those sell out. For the first time in my life, I almost wish I would have chosen to study medicine. I may cry every time I see a needle, but at least their cafeteria is okay.

This would obviously be the perfect opportunity to grow up and meal-prep, but let’s be honest. It’s not going to happen. I have deep-rooted respect for every person who prepares a meal for university or work. I am simply not one of those people. I did try. It did not work. And even though it is very likely that I some day will grow up and become a meal-prepping person – the odds that this is going to happen within the next few months don’t look good.

This horrible lunch situation on campus is obviously not going to last forever. The Refter should reopen at the beginning of 2019 and I guess survival until then is possible. I just honestly hope that the quality of the food will begin to match the food’s price once again – renovated seating area or not. Until then I say ’Goodbye Refter, it’s been nice.’ And hope from the bottom of my heart that it will reappear well-rested from a long break.

Every two weeks, Antonia will add the songs she writes about to the Spotify playlist below. This way, she creates a soundtrack to her time in Nijmegen. Click left and right for more songs.

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