Summer is coming to an end, which means it's time to move on to the university chapter of life for all you freshies out there. While it's exciting to start living independently, this also means it's time to give up delicious home-cooked meals and face the impending extra pounds everyone talks about. But, you don't have to let it happen! 

Here are some tips to avoid the legendary "Freshman 15" and to stay healthy this year:

1. Think about your portion size. The amount of food available in dining halls at college is ridiculous, and it is easy to get carried away by the enormous amounts of food before you. If given the choice, fill your own plate with adequate portions because the people serving tend to give you WAY too much food, which unconsciously forces you to eat more than you need. Remember, even though there are so many food options in front of you, you do not have to try it all at once. 
2. Exercise as often as possible. Current students might complain about not having time to go to the gym every day, but considering the countless hours you will spend sitting by a desk reading and studying, you need to understand that moving around is important to staying healthy and fit. Don't be lazy! Try to take some time to exercise every week; consider it a time-out to refresh your brain. Some extra advice to maintain your figure is to walk or bike around campus instead of taking your car to class or the library every day. Take the stairs as often as possible instead of the elevator, and go out for a run instead of watching TV. These may seem like small and unhelpful actions, but altogether, they make a difference if you want to stay in shape. Also, get together with a group of friends during the weekend to play tennis, football or any another sport. Socializing can be equally as fun when you're sweating and burning off unwanted calories, right?
3. Don't snack too much. Late-night studying is pretty much inevitable in college, but as time passes slowly and you get more and more tired, you are going to start to crave a snack to help yourself stay awake and boost your energy level. While it's totally acceptable to eat if you're feeling hungry, really try to avoid eating greasy or sugary foods at night because it can disrupt your sleep later on and adds several unneeded calories to your day. Don't give in to the midnight munchies! 
4. Stay hydrated. It is vital to stay hydrated in order to remain healthy. Several organs in your body need to be hydrated to work efficiently. If it's hot outside, you need to replace the water you sweat out constantly, and even if it's cold, it's important to drink water regularly regardless of if you feel thirsty. Remember that your body's hydration relies on you drinking water. Always avoid drinking soda and high-calorie drinks, as they do not provide any nutritional value. 
5. Get plenty of sleep. This is probably the most crucial thing to remember as you go through the year. You may feel that you need to pull all-nighters all the time to get your work done and memorize all those pages your professor has assigned for reading. However, if you don't get enough sleep every night, it is going to be harder for you to stay awake in lectures, listen to your professors and perform well on your exams. This means that time management is key to making sure that you study enough and also give yourself enough time to rest your brain and body. Sleeping less is also worse for your metabolism, and several studies have associated less sleep with weight gain. 
6. Think about what you eat. Most of the time, it's not the amount of food you eat, but the type and quality of the food you consume, that can be a problem. Stay away from fast food as much as possible! Also, while brownies, cupcakes, and candy bars are yummy and easy to eat on your way to and from class, they are not good for you. Eat fruits and vegetables instead in order to ingest all the vitamins and minerals your body needs to stay beautiful. 
7. Don't skip meals. You are a college student juggling several classes, clubs, activities, and an enormous workload every day, but it's imperative to take time to sit down and slowly and properly eat meals with necessary nutrients at least three times a day. Start with breakfast to start up your metabolism in the morning and get your energy started for the day. Have a small lunch midday, and finish your day off with a dinner in the evening complete with plenty of lean protein and less carbs. Don't eat too quickly because this will allow your stomach to let you know exactly when you're full, so you don't overeat. If you skip meals throughout the day, you are more likely to rely on snacks like chips and candy bars to boost your energy levels when you feel them dwindling, and this does not help you or your weight at all. 
8. No alcohol. Finally, for those of you old enough to drink, remember that alcohol contains a lot of calories, probably more than you would think. Not only is alcohol detrimental to your body and brain in other ways, but overusing it can also be a big cause for weight gain. So, STAY SOBER for your own good. 

If you are worried about gaining the pounds upperclassmen warn you about, weigh yourself every now and then to make sure you are remaining on track. If the number on the scale is steadily increasing, go back over the tips above and make sure you're not breaking any health rules. In general, remember that even though you are independent in college and there is no one preventing you from drinking too much soda or eating as much ice cream as you want or telling you when to go to sleep, you do need to understand how important it is for you to prioritize your health and well-being to be able to survive four years of college, both physically and mentally.