When entering college everyone has their own fears. "Will I fit in, will anyone like me, am I going to like it ...?" No one ever thinks about me. Sometimes they do not even see me coming. Before I tell you what my name is, let me tell you a little about myself. I can be a response to fatty foods, or stress. I love when you late night snack, and when you eat Lakeside's great hamburgers, french fries, and chicken fingers. I can't wait to see those weekends when you go home and eat mom's great home cooked meals. Some of you even go to grandparent's house and eat more and more. I really love when you tell your friends that they can go on to the RAC without you. You never want to exercise, and my self-esteem rises when yours get lower. My main goal is to watch how your perfect figure turns not so perfect. If you haven't guessed by now, my name is The Freshman Fifteen.

        The Freshman 15 is a nickname given by college students to a result of weight gain. This weight gain is commonly 15 pounds, that is a response to a change in atmosphere and a change in eating habits. This situation can apply to males and females. Because every body is different, we all respond to changes differently. While some are gaining weight, others may be losing weight. In college, many think "thin is in", and students become afraid to gain weight. This may lead to eating disorders such as, bulimia and anorexia. Bulimia is where a person bing, purge, vomit, and fast to lose weight. Other characteristics may include, abusing laxatives and overexercising. Anorexia is an condition where one is afraid to gain weight. They starve themselves, and are thin to the point of emaciation. Both of these disorders are severe and life threatening.

        No matter what, we all respond to new environments. This is why The Freshman 15 is an very important topic. If you are not prepared for it, it can be very damaging. Stress is an form of a response to psychological changes. Being away from home for the first time, the transition from high school to college, or being away from a boy or girlfriend are all changes that my disrupt someone life. Whether it is minor or severe, it all should be taken seriously.

        Take control of your life. Figure out how you are responding to The Freshman 15. There are many different solutions that can help prevent a college student from being affected. First, you must decide if your weight gain is a problem. If it is, you must then decide if it is a response to stress, or the change in eating habits. If it is a response to bad eating habits, set up a plan and stick to it. Establish a regular eating pattern, this will help to avoid fatty foods and late night snacking. Set realistic goals, and maintain them. Set up an exercising schedule that is convenient, and stick to it. Get a support group of friends and people who are being effected by a weight gain. If you make eating healthy and exercising fun, it will become apart of your daily routine. It will become a goal to reach for. When you reach it, the results will be rewarding. For those who are gaining weight because of stress, find out what it is that is stressful in your life. This can lead to very serious problems, that may result to suicide or dropping out. There may be other other problems that you may not recognize. That is why there are counselors on campus to help you with problems that you may be having. Join clubs and organizations that will help your out look on life be more positive. Stop and think, do not let the Freshman 15 control your life.