It's every freshman's worst fear. It creeps up on you when you're not looking. It's hidden inside all those delicious dorm desserts. Or it's lurking inside your cell phone, telling you to call Jimmy John's at 3 a.m. It's even there during your afternoon naps. Your parents will try to warn you, but since you're on your own now...there's nothing they can do to protect you.

Freshmen, you know what I'm talking about. It's what you see on all your friends when you come home for the first time. It's the FRESHMAN 15!

Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself. Not EVERY freshman gains 15 pounds, despite popular belief. I actually managed to lose 10 pounds after my first semester of freshman year. If you're scared you'll turn into the oversized blueberry girl from "Willy Wonka," then here are just a few ways you can prevent that from happening.

1. Don't take the bus.

It's scorching hot outside for, at least, the first half of the first semester of school. Those bus stops just around the corner are not too far and the buses will take you just where you need to be in a matter of minutes. Convenient, right? DON'T DO IT! On most days, walking around campus will be the only source of exercise you get. Walking 30 minutes in the heat to the engineering building across campus will have you burning calories like no other. If you're really concerned about your image, wear white shirts to avoid the sight of your back sweat when you take off your backpack. Or, embrace it. While everyone else is looking fresh from the bus ride, they'll be 15 pounds heavier in no time.

2. Limit dorm desserts.

Dorms have desserts for every meal. There are breakfast cinnamon rolls, lunch brownies and dinner ice creams. Do yourself a favor and limit your portions of "dorm desserts" because they are DEADLY. My breakfasts usually only consisted of fruit. I did eat soft-serve ice cream after dinner almost every night freshman year (guilty), but I also never added toppings. I'm also 100 percent sure the soft-serve was actually just glorified iced chocolate. Soft-serve is the least of your worries calorie-wise, so if you REALLY want dessert...that's what you get. If you walked around campus all day, you may have earned it. BUS RIDERS DON'T HAVE DESSERT!

3. Take hard classes.

You'll be so stressed you'll miss dinner time and have to replace it with ramen noodles. No fried chicken for you.

4. Get plenty of sleep.

You actually won't do this, but I'm telling you anyway.

5. Join an IM team.

This guarantees you at least one hour of fun exercise per week for four-plus weeks. So what if you can't play flag football or badminton? That's why there's C-league!

6. Join a club Varsity team or exercise club.

Lots of former athletes miss the competition. There's club soccer, volleyball, lacrosse...etc. These usually require tryouts, long practices and weekend tournaments. You're bound to stay in shape. However, if you don't have the time, join a club that has to do with exercising. I'm in running club, but there is also water ski/wakeboard club, triathlon club and many more. These clubs will have competitive events for you to go to, but if you just want to stay in shape, it's a great way to meet people who will hold you accountable when you're not at the workouts for a week!

7. Fitness classes.

I know a lot of these have to do with fitness, but fitness burns calories and keeps you from gaining weight. Many fitness classes can be pricey, but if you're in a sorority or fraternity, there are so many monthly deals you can take full advantage of! My sorority sisters enjoy pilates, yoga, fight club, spin classes and many other unique, fun workout classes.

NOTE ON 5, 6 and 7: IF YOU CAN FIT A WORKOUT IN THREE TIMES PER WEEK ON WEEKS YOU DO NOT HAVE MIDTERMS AND TWO TIMES PER WEEK ON WEEKS YOU DO, YOU WILL BE GOLDEN!

8. Be a kinesiology major.

Or act like one. Some of the physical education classes are open to people of all majors. They are usually just a one-credit course, but very beneficial. You don't have to be athletic to join one. I took a swim conditioning class this past semester to guarantee myself a workout twice a week. However, many of these classes are early in the morning, so if you struggle with waking up, it may not be as beneficial as you think.

9. Starbucks can be your worst enemy.

We all need our boost for late-night studying, but those boosts have calories. Starbucks lattes complete with a double-shot of espresso may seem like a good idea, but they can be your worst enemy. All the skinny vanilla lattes add up. Caffeinated tea can give you the same boost without the calories. Don't even get me started on how awful those energy drinks are for you.

10. Limit your late-night pizza and Jimmy John's.

I love Jimmy John's. You can order online and they will deliver to you instantly, wherever you are on campus at whatever ridiculous hour you are awake. As convenient as it is though, it's a trap. I'm not saying eliminate the option. If you skipped dinner, order that pizza or Jimmy John's. If you have two midterms or more in one week and you're desperate, treat yourself. But if you're just up late doing homework or watching Netflix, grab some fruit or ramen noodles. It's not worth it.

11. Do what you can about alcohol.

I'm not going to tell you not to drink alcohol. It's part of the college experience. Just know all those tasty mixed drinks and countless games of beer pong at fraternities will hit you. Not EVERY mixer is worth getting drunk at. Not EVERY party is worth going to. Pick and choose the nights you feel are worth the alcoholic calories. Going to a mixer sober isn't a complete loss. When you do have one of those wild nights, make sure you chug water after. Disclaimer: The more you work out, the more alcohol you can afford to drink. See tips 5, 6, 7 and 8.

12. Sign up for random 5K runs.

Everyone is capable of running or at least walking a 5K. During my freshman year, I did the color run and the "It's Glow Time Run." There are many other charity walks or runs you can get your sorority sisters or fraternity brothers to join you in. It's a nice random workout to fit in every once and a while.

13. Stock your mini-fridge with healthy snacks.

Keep all your favorite fruits you can fit! DO NOT keep ice cream, chocolate and whatever else will get you in trouble.

14. Don't go out to eat too much.

First of all, you have your meal plan for a reason. Dorm food isn't the best, but at least they have a little bit of everything. If you don't feel what they are serving is healthy, try the salad bar. If you don't like its dressing, buy and bring your own light dressing. Every time you go to a restaurant, you are bound to eat way more than you usually do. Plus, it's expensive.

15. Don't go home too much.

Your mother will think you're starving and cook you a "welcome home" cake for the weekend. There's nothing like mom's cooking, which is why you are better off waiting until Thanksgiving.

16. Look at your high school pictures.

Periodically, take a glance at what you looked like junior or senior year. Make sure you look like you are around the same size. If you seem to look bigger compared to those pictures, make a change. It's better to catch the Freshman 15 at the Freshman Five because that's a lot easier to fix! You're not going to be growing any taller now, just wider.

17. Drink WATER.

Carry a bottle in your backpack. Refill it. Drink it throughout the day. Drink it at night. Drink it when you're sleeping. Drinking water will make you feel fuller than you actually are at meals. It helps flush out the alcohol. It's zero calories. It goes right through you. Staying hydrated, more importantly, will provide you with more energy throughout the day. You may not even need that coffee.

While it may seem like I'm joking, I'm not. The Freshman 15 is a real thing. It will happen to some of your friends from high school, but it doesn't have to happen to you. Stay active, stay healthy and have fun, little FISH!