All Things Food: Easy DIY Tailgating Recipes

Penn State is known for its excellent academic programs, but Penn State Football holds its own reputation as well. We are the number one student section in the country, which is no easy feat to accomplish, so be proud of becoming part of the legacy! Along with the legacy is of course tailgating before the game to hang out with friends and family before entering the stadium. I love going to tailgates because it’s a great way to destress and have fun after a long week of academics. If you’ve never been to a game before, you’ll be impressed by the number of people that come from all over to tailgate and fill all of the surrounding fields around the stadium– 107,000 to be exact.


Although getting to see visiting family and friends while spending time outside is nice, of course the best part of tailgating is the food! Be sure to go out before the game and fill up on all the homemade goodies parents bring. Food inside Beaver Stadium can be pricey, so enjoy some yummy treats before you go in. Games average 4 hours start to finish, depending on the opponent, so you won’t want to go in hungry. Here are a few of my favorite foods that you can bring to a tailgate potluck that are cheap and easy to make in a dorm:


Brownies – every residence hall area has access to a kitchen, so if you buy a disposable pan and mix you can make your own brownies to save money rather than buying them. A disposable pan makes it easy so you don’t have to worry about getting your pan back after the game. Every kitchen area is free to use, so don’t be afraid to cook your favorite food while you’re away from home!


Buffalo chicken dip – a tailgating classic with only a few ingredients. You can even buy canned chicken that is pre-marinated in hot sauce to make it even easier. Just combine your ingredients in a bowl then save it in your dorm fridge until game day. Use your microwave to melt cheese on top.


Fruit/veggies – every week, weather permitting, there’s a market downtown in State College with fresh produce (among other things like baked goods and flowers) from local farmers. Pick up some healthy snacks at the market, then all you need is a plate to chop up your produce and serve them at your tailgate. Don’t forget the veggie dip!


Chips and salsa/guac – an easy go to that you can pick up at the convenience store in the commons without having to make anything. Always buy more than you think you’ll need because they go fast!


By: Morgan McCormick (Mentor Team A)

How to Find your Way Around the GYM

The gyms at Penn State are a great resource that are super easy to use.  First of all, there is no gym fee at Penn State so all students are able to use any of the gyms available as long as you have your student ID.

 I always like to check the PSU Strength and Fitness website (or app, but the app crashes a lot) before I go to the gym to see how many people are there to make sure the gym isn’t full before I leave.  Once you arrive at the gym, there are small lockers available to store your belongings like your coat or backpack while you work out.  You set your own combination when you close it, so there’s no need to bring a lock unless you want a larger locker from the locker room where the showers are.  The fitness class schedule is posted throughout the gym and is also available online or on the app.  To go to a class, you should show up at least 5 minutes early because some popular classes will have a line to get in, and you will want to make sure you make the cut off if it fills up.  Again, you’ll just need your student ID to get in.  

Always bring a water bottle with you too.  To go into the weight room of the gym, you also will need your ID.  Within the weight room there are various sections for cardio, free weights, and machines.  Each gym is set up a little different and has different things to offer in addition to the weight room.  For example, White Building has a pool, Rec Hall has open gyms and will host all of the Penn State team volleyball matches, and IM has racquetball courts, an indoor track, and the tennis courts are right outside.  After all its renovations this summer, IM will have even more to offer too like an indoor climbing wall.  Overall, the gyms here have a lot to offer.  They are an important resource to students that I recommend to everyone!

By: Morgan McCormick