Beware the Freshmen Fifteen! It seems to be a universal piece of advice that people give to incoming freshmen. Along with all the other little gems of wisdom that everyone loves to share with new ones, that one in particular seems to be one of the most stressed. I know going into college that I did not believe in the freshmen fifteen. I did not understand what the whole fuss was about. I was responsible for making my own food at home, I had experienced the options of all-you-could-eat buffets before. Why would this be any different? It did not take long after being in college to realize it was much different than I had thought. Luckily, I did not experience the full wrath of Freshmen Fifteen, but it was still enough to make me realize there should be some helpful tips for those coming in.

1. All-You-Can-Eat Really Does Not Have To Mean All You Can Eat Every Day

I know walking into Convo for the first time for freshmen can be a little intimidating, and you want to see what is all offered, but a word of caution must be given. There is almost always something good at Convo to eat. From Egg Lady's eggs to Steak Night, there is usually something for everyone. With this in mind, you can see why some freshmen get a little carried away with grabbing too much food. It is important to know that these yummy food options are not a one-day thing; they do come back in a couple of weeks. There is no need to stuff yourself until the pointing of busting every meal. I promise there will be other days to try it all.

2. Try To Take It Easy On Fat Bar

You will soon learn that the dessert bar in Convo is better known as Fat Bar, and for good reason. A person could devote their whole Freshmen Fifteen to this place very easily with following all the rest of these steps to a T. It is hard for anyone to resist desserts. Come on, it's sugar and everything that tastes good! But it is something that has to be done once in awhile to avoid falling victim to the Freshmen Fifteen. This isn't to say don't ever go and enjoy Fat Bar: I highly encourage you take a stop their at least a few times while at school. It all comes down to a little self-control. Like asking yourself: "Do I really need to get two cookies instead of one?" Simple stuff like this will help you enjoy the great desserts that Ashland has to offer while also enjoying your freshman waistline.

3. Enjoy The Rec

The Rec Center might seem a bit overwhelming at first, but it is nothing to be afraid of. They have everything from the basic treadmill to some serious weight lifting options. Don't be afraid to ask questions, either. There is great staff to help you out on whatever questions you have about the machines. If running in place isn't really your speed, then there are lots of other options for working out, too. There are tons of workout classes all throughout the week to help fit into your schedule. Along with that, there are lots of club sports to get involved in.

4. Beware of Late-Night

If there is one piece of wisdom I could share with any of the incoming freshmen, this would be it. When it comes to fighting off the Freshmen Fifteen this will be your kryptonite. Late-Night is for the late night study session groups who need that extra boost to keep them going. But mostly it comes down to people just coming into Convo late at night for some chicken nuggets and fries. The food options never change at Late-Night, they are never the most healthy options either. Lots of fried food and desserts. Basically, all the food that we are told in health class to stay away from. Along with having some pretty unhealthy options, it is also open late at night when your body isn't even supposed to have food. Even with the negatives to it, Late-Night is important to experience at least once at your time at Ashland. Go with some friends you have met on your floor or in class and have a cheat day!

5. Dorm Snacks

I know when I was packing snacks for school, I did not pick the healthy options. There was no room in my bag for low calorie snack packs or anything remotely nutritious. But there was plenty of room for chips, cookies, gummies, and everything sweet. So words of caution when packing and when snacking at Ashland. Even if you do a great job at avoiding Fat Bar and Late-Night, there is also the danger of the snacks you brought.

With these 5 tips, it will be a little bit easier to avoid that terrible Freshmen Fifteen. But more importantly, enjoy your first year at Ashland! Like everyone else tries to tell you before you move in, it really does fly by. So while keeping a check on what you eat, also make sure to have fun and don't stress too much about your summer body. There is always room for improvement for your next three years!