Freshman year of college presents many new challenges that students typically haven’t had to face.

Students are burdened with finding classes on an expansive campus situated on a hill, making friends and keeping up with a social life, all while get- ting enough sleep, squeezing in a few meals, and, time permitting, exercising. That many commitments has the potential to be difficult to balance all at once.

The common and tell-tale weight gain among freshman, harshly donned “The Freshman 15,” doesn’t make adjusting to a new atmosphere any easier.

Heather Payne-Emerson is the director of the Nutrition and Dietetic Program at WKU. In her classes, she has had students track their diets for several days.

“They eat lots of fast food,” she noted. “They have diets low in fruits and vegetables.”

This is all dependent upon what the students like, what’s available, and where their priorities lie, Payne-Emerson said.

To combat weight gain in college, students must be conscientious of what they’re put- ting into their bodies. Once extra weight is gained it’s difficult to lose, Payne-Emerson said.

Danville freshman Katie Block said while she’s worried about the “Freshman 15,” she plans on taking steps to avoid it.

“I plan on taking advantage of the free gym and classes like yoga,” Block said.

She does anticipate that her diet and exercise will change due to her schedule, which includes honors classes.

“My mom was really tough about what we ate at home,” Block said. “I will keep that in mind. I’m paranoid about gaining weight.”

Block believes that the most challenging part of eating well at school will be finding healthy food options.

She has yet to decide if Fresh Food Company actually has healthy options.

“You can’t let your weight or weight gain rule you,” Block said. “But you do have to be aware.”

As Scottsville freshman Ed Anglea pulled open a drawer full of snacks, he said he isn’t very concerned about the “Freshman 15.”

He is confident that any necessary exercise will come from use of the Preston Center and walking everywhere.

“I’m absolutely not worried about the ‘Freshman 15,’” he said. “Because I live on this hill.”

As far as food goes, however, Anglea realizes that having a tight schedule will limit when, how much and what he can eat every day.

Anglea has decided that exercise is more important to him than eating well.

“The ‘Freshman 15’ shouldn’t be as big of a hype as it is,” Anglea said. “If you take care of yourself, you can do what you want.”