top of page

Microwave Hacks Every Student Needs

  • BeWellAdmin
  • Nov 12, 2025
  • 3 min read
Image Credit: Pexels.com
Image Credit: Pexels.com

Microwaves are not just for reheating; you can revive, steam, and treat yourself with minimal fuss. Here are three quick tricks: 

 
  • Reviving stale bread with a damp paper towel 

Wrap a piece of bread loosely in a slightly damp paper towel and microwave it for about 10–15 seconds. The added moisture helps soften the starch in the bread, giving a fresher texture.   

  • Steaming vegetables quickly in a bowl with a splash of water 

Chop vegetables into similar-sized pieces, place in a microwave-safe bowl, add 1–2 tablespoons of water, cover loosely, and microwave until tender (typically 2-4 minutes for softer veg, 4-6 minutes for firmer ones). This method retains colour, flavour and nutrients.   

  • Making single-serving desserts like mug brownies

Combine flour, cocoa powder, sugar, milk and a little oil in a mug, stir, microwave for about 1 minute, and you have got a personal brownie. (Optional: add chocolate chips or nuts.) See recipe here.

 

Note: Use microwave-safe mugs, watch the time closely so you do not overcook. 

 


Additional Practical Advice 

 

Every student’s day is a bit like a marathon, with early lectures, labs and study sessions leaving little time to eat. Smart strategies in storage, budgeting, time management and sustainability can significantly ease your life, not just be useful. Below are four practical tips to help you stay on top of your schedule. 

 

  1. Container & storage tips: Every student’s day can feel like a marathon, so simple food-safety habits matter. Use microwave-safe glass or ceramic containers, avoid plastics not rated for microwaves, and label batch-cooked meals with the date and contents. Keep your fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or lower and your freezer at -18 °C (0 °F) or lower; eat refrigerated leftovers within 2 to 4 days or freeze them for later (see Health Canada’s Safe Food Storage guidelines).  

For budget and time savings, buy frozen vegetables in bulk, cook grains on weekends, split take-out portions, and reheat at campus microwave stations; on quieter days, prep two or three grab-and-go meals (grain + veg + protein). Bringing your own food reduces packaging waste and gives you more control over ingredients. Keep shared microwaves clean, cover dishes, wipe spills promptly, and never judge safety by smell or taste alone; when in doubt, throw it out, per Health Canada’s advice for leftovers.


  1. Budget hacks: buy frozen vegetables in bulk, cook a large batch of grain on the weekend, split take-out meals and reheat leftovers at microwave stations. 


  2. Time-saving routine: On quieter days, prep 2-3 grab-and-go meals (grain + veg + protein) to reduce decision fatigue between classes. 


  3. Wellness & sustainability angle: Bringing your own food reduces packaging waste and often means better control over what you’re eating. Taking even a 5-minute break to eat properly can be a reset in a hectic academic day. 

 


Food Safety and Microwave Etiquette 

 

Shared microwaves work best when everyone treats them with care. Keep the area clean and friendly. 

  • Cover your dish to prevent splatters. 

  • Wipe up any spills or crumbs immediately. 

  • Avoid heating extremely odorous food (or clean thoroughly after). 

  • Stay nearby while reheating and be mindful of time when others are waiting. 

 

Making Campus Life a Bit Warmer 

 

Knowing where to find a microwave may seem like a small detail, yet for students juggling full schedules and tight budgets it can truly make a difference. Bringing your own food helps you spend less, avoid excess packaging, and eat more intentionally. Whether it is a homemade curry, leftover pasta or last night’s stir-fry, the campus microwave stations turn warm, satisfying meals into an accessible part of student life. When hunger strikes, consider visiting one of these locations instead of a vending machine. Your future self and your wallet will thank you. 

 

Sources:  

Comments

bottom of page