By Kaylie-Ann Flannigan
Contributing Writer

We have all been there. Freshman year can be rough. You’re in a new place with new people, and odds are a random girl in your room that you have to live with. (That usually works out well.) The important thing is to stay afloat and not go too crazy.

The bad news: the freshman 15 is not a myth. It is as real as the words on this very page.

The good news: it is avoidable. The main issue here is health.

I know those curly fries look amazing and delicious, and when paired with barbecue sauce, an absolute dream. BUT, eating those every day is so bad for your skin and your heart.

Make sure not to go too overboard with the fries. There is a time to get the fries, just make sure you aren’t eating fried food all the time. Sometimes it’s hard to keep track.

Try to think of what you ate before you came to college. Continue to try to incorporate all of your food groups and get the proper nutrition every day.

You have formed these habits and you should not let temptation lead you away from good health.

The dreaded weight gain also occurs due to the seemingly never-ending food supply. There is always food available, even at midnight.

Make sure you give your body enough time to digest before going back up for a second plate. Overeating can make you feel lousy and sick. This can also make you sleepy, irritable and unproductive.

The best state of hunger to be in is one where you feel satisfied but haven’t pushed it to the limit of being stuffed. Not every meal, although usually a buffet, has to be treated like a Thanksgiving dinner.

Make sure you continue to move. Sometimes when people first come to college, they forget that exercise should be incorporated into your lifestyle.

The change of scenery contributes to a new lifestyle, but make sure exercise remains a constant.

Exercise allows for your metabolism to continue working. If you halt your exercise regiment altogether, your metabolism will slow down and you will gain weight.

And the great thing bout exercise (even twenty minutes a day) is that it makes you feel so much better.
It helps relieve stress and keeps you energized and happy. This way you can save money on coffee and manage to get all of your coursework done.

Gaining weight at this age is normal. Your body is changing. You might even be bulking up from that new sports team or workout you’ve decided to try! Just make sure that you continue to take care of yourself.

Always remember that if you feel overwhelmed and stressed, there is always someone to talk to and you are never alone.

Plenty of people probably feel the same way. Eat right, exercise, and make sure you get enough sleep at night so that you don’t lose your mind.

Last but not least have fun, and a great first year!