Most of the freshmen readers of this article are probably trying to figure out how to navigate our school’s dining options without gaining the notorious Freshmen 15. Fear not, for modified eating habits can redeem you.

It is endlessly tempting to have a chicken tender sandwich every day, or to have two servings of tater tots instead of one. But if you do this then add stress and lack of sleep and exercise to the mix, you’ll dig yourself a hole pretty quickly. Try limiting your indulgence foods to only once a week, at most. Pretend like the ice cream station in Ragsdale is invisible. And when you are in line for those tots, think twice and ask your server to give you a reduced portion.

On your quest for more balanced eating habits, you will be confronted by resistance and negativity. There will be times when you’re studying late and impulsively reach for the phone to order a large pizza with extra pepperoni. To lessen the blow, invite some friends over and turn your one-man study session into a full blown pizza party. You will not only have fun but also ensure that you only eat one slice instead of the whole pie.

College is not the place to deprive yourself of the things you love—it is a place to learn how to balance them with other areas of your life. So if you feel like you cannot get through the week without a brownie from Hunt, find a friend and split it, and marvel at how you can be in control of portion control.