The first thing people warn incoming college freshman about is the "Freshman 15". For those of you that do not know what this is, it is an excessive amount of weight that freshman put on during their first year of college. Students come in with the open mind that they will just go to the gym and they will be totally fine. Sadly, this is not necessarily the case. I hate to break it to you, but the famous "Freshman 15" is a curse that is almost impossible to avoid because of these reasons:
1. Stress eating
I mean what can I say? School is stressful and stressed spelled backward is desserts.
2. We have to use up those weekly meal plans
We are all paying tons of money for these super expensive meal plans at school. Everyone goes to the dining hall all the time, even when they are not hungry. I mean really, we can't be wasting money so we have to use up every possible meal per week.
3. Dining hall food
Pasta for dinner every night? Heck yeah. Unlimited ice cream, cookies, and brownies every day? Definitely taking advantage of that too.
4. There is an infinite amount of snacks in your dorm
When mom and dad are not grocery shopping for you, you can buy all of your favorites. No one is going to yell at you for eating the whole bag of chips or popcorn either.
5. Microwavable mac and cheese
Velveeta and Kraft are your best friends.
6. Midnight snacks
Cause you're craving that pizza late at night and you just have to order it. Snacks are always better if you eat them after midnight anyways.
7. Junk food is cheaper than healthy food
You have to pay for your own food now, and I'm sure this means you are running on a budget like I am. College students do not have money to buy all of the healthy organic snacks, so we just don't.
8. Fast food
I never used to eat a lot of fast food until I got to college. I don't know about you, but my roommate and I cannot go a week without craving Taco Bell. It's cheap, and there is a drive through.
9. Student discounts
Food is cheaper just about everywhere for students so obviously you are going to take advantage of that.
10. You choose to nap over going to the gym
I hate to break it to you, but unless you are an athlete, you probably will not be going to the gym. You will definitely be taking a lot of naps in the future. That is not a bad thing though.
11. Netflix
Yet another reason to lay in bed for hours instead of going to the gym.
So my fellow freshman, be ready to go home for break weighing about 15 more pounds than normal. Try not to be too upset about this, because it happens to everyone. Just accept it.
