Statistics show that approximately half of all students put on between ten and fifteen pounds during their first year of college. Yikes, right? It's easy to fall victim to the freshman fifteen when you're trying to adjust to a busy schedule and there's fast food at your fingertips everywhere you look.

However, putting on weight will just increase the stress that you're already feeling from academic pressures, and it can be hard to take off later. Luckily, there are ways to keep the pounds away, and they don't include limiting yourself to a bowl of plain oatmeal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

First and foremost, stick to a regular meal schedule. If you are planning a lengthy study session away from the dorm, prepare healthy snacks to take with you. Simple snacks such as Peanutty Bananas and Trail Mix provide energy without the fat and calories in potato chips and chocolate.

Also, try to plan your meals about a week in advance. One option is to cook ahead, making all your weekly meals over the weekend. It's much easier to stick to a healthy meal plan on a busy weeknight when all you need to do is heat up dinner instead of preparing it from scratch.

Finally, take time to exercise. Many colleges have excellent exercise facilities right on campus that are free for students. With a little planning, you can fit an exercise session into your daily schedule. A daily swim or aerobic workout makes it easier to control your weight, and it also lifts your spirits by releasing endorphins, giving you a much-needed boost of energy.