Be Right Back, BRBs!
đź“ť Rebecca Rha
Updated 4/27/2026
As the semester comes to a close, prelims are wrapping up, and finals are around the corner. I find myself with no Big Red Bucks (BRBs) left to spare. If you're anything like me, the semester started with grand plans to be financially responsible and somehow ended with daily coffee runs and snacking habits your wallet never saw coming. But if you're among the lucky few with a surplus and nowhere to spend it, consider this your sign. As an experienced BRB spender, here is a comprehensive list of items I think were worthy of my purchases:
Spinach and Cheese Danish
My go-to snack last semester from Mann Café, which I haven't been able to find around campus since. If you spot it in the display case, don't hesitate– it has a way of selling out before you get a second chance. Best enjoyed after being heated in the microwave for ~20 seconds!
Iced Vanilla Latte
Overpriced, but too good to pass up. Might be a little biased since this is my favorite coffee order, but hear me out. Financially sound? No. Worth it every time? Absolutely. My personal favorite spot is Goldie’s!
Naan Wrap
I have perfected my Martha's Café build-your-own naan wrap, which has a perfect combination of chicken, red onion, feta, and lemon zest. This genuinely keeps me going on my hard days, and if you haven't tried it yet, you have been missing out all semester.
Cotton Candy Alani
A straight shot of energy that tastes like sunshine and rainbows. I can feel it beating for my heart on days I need to lock in. Grab one from any of the campus convenience spots and thank me later. Sweet tooth recommended.
Lo Mein with BBQ Pork
Trillium was my afternoon ritual when I had BRBs, purely because the lo mein and BBQ pork called my name every day around lunch time. The chewy lo mein noodles with flavorful pork belly may raise your cholesterol levels, but your stomach will be happy!Â
Next semester, I keep telling myself I'll be smarter about it. Perhaps I'll track my balance, avoid the daily $6 latte, or even meal prep. However, if this list is any indication, I'll probably find myself in the same situation a week before finals: BRB balance at zero with nothing but good memories and a mild caffeine dependency to show for it. Be right back, BRBs!
Cornell Runs On...
To the large majority of Cornell students who study late at night, I often wonder where their energy is coming from. Does snacking or sipping help students “lock in?” From Celsius enthusiasts to M&M loyalists, a diverse range of palettes was investigated to see what fuels late-night study grinds at Cornell. I polled a small sample size of 24 students and collected quotes from both sides.
Seasonal Delicacies at L’AbenFant in Dijon
This November, I visited Dijon, France. About 180 miles southeast of Paris, the city seems like a quaint village compared to the French capital’s cosmic size. For lunch, we stopped by a popular restaurant called L’AbenFant. This restaurant specializes in vegetarian cuisine and changes its menu every day, so we were in for a real delicious treat.
Café Culture—a True Parisian Experience
Sssss, schwoop! I gazed down as the pastry chef finished preparing my strawberry tart and moved over to package it in a pretty, blue box with a ribbon. However, this dessert shop is not like a typical pâtisserie you would find in Paris—in fact, my little tart is completely inedible! This weekend, I visited the JellyCat Pâtisserie, a pop-up shop in the Galeries Lafayette that sells exclusive French pastries in a plush format. You can choose from six options for the Pâtisserie Experience: Collette the tarte au citron, Brigitte the brioche, Fleurette the tarte aux fraises, and three multi-colored macarons: Mia, Max, and Mona. Aside from the Paris-exclusive designs, you can also find hundreds of plush éclairs, mille-feuilles, and madeleines for sale in the store, each one sporting a cute smile and a pair of miniature, animated legs.