like many many yeshiva bochurim, i used to eat cholent thursday night too when i was a bochur, until i was told to reserve that specific ma’achol for shabbos day. there should always be a special food, or drink perhaps, that enhances and adds quality to the ‘specialness’ of shabbos. its not JUST our clothes, or the nusach of davening, that makes this day different from all the other days.
that lesson really resonated for me and, while i can’t say i gave up my thursday night cholent completely, but i do have a special nosh or something i buy specially for shabbos every week.