The Freshman Fifteen

Yes, you have of course heard of the "Freshman Fifteen" which was maybe known as the "Freshman Ten" in past years.  Of course, "Freshman Fifteen" just sounds better based on the rules of writing, it has nice alliteration and sounds better together.  Now, I always sort of thought that the idea of gaining fifteen pounds freshman year seemed kind of strange, how could it even be possible?

Well, I have figured out how.  The only free food offered in college is cookies, and ice cream, and pizza.  And how do you make teenagers go to something they would otherwise avoid like the plague?  Offer food of course, especially to starving college students who may not have enough money for meals every day.

Not to mention the fact that all of these are readily available at every meal that we pay for too.  There is just constant temptation to eat these wonderfully delicious foods that are in no way healthy or good for preventing the rumor.  The thing about the paid food, is that the dessert bar is much bigger: brownies, jello, cake, and various flavors of ice cream (soft serve or not).  It is all serve yourself, of course.  And there is no limit on what you can take.  Think, cookies to go.

And last but not least: every single person of importance on campus - professors, dorm proctors, other members of the faculty - will bribe a visit with free candy.  At dorm events, a bag of candy.  Sitting on desks, candy.  Prizes for asking a question during orientation, candy.  Candy, candy, candy.

There is no wonder that the "Freshman Fifteen" exists.  It is such a huge part of the campus culture, almost completely built in, that it must be hard to avoid.

The only good news, is the constant need to walk across campus.  The academic buildings, the dining hall, and the mail room are all a good walk away from the dorms (the outer dorms at the very least).  With classes at varying times, meals throughout the day, and various activities in Platt (where the mail room is also located), there is always a need to walk somewhere.  It is also normal to walk to the village for whatever reason or to the Claremont College bookstore, which is located past Scripps and CMC (I think) which is about a ten minute walk away.

I would normally avoid ranting to such a degree - the only reason I thought of it was because of the various events we have had in the past few days.  On Monday, our dorm mentors organized a group activity where there was a open bowl of candy, and later a walk to get some frozen yogurt (which the mentors generously paid for).  Then, on Wednesday there was an Improv Show in Platt, where the campus kindly offered free donuts.  Today, we had a Convocation ceremony to promote the beginning of the academic year.  And what did the offer?  Free cookies and brownies.  And as I was eating my third cookie, I had this distinct revelation made clear, a revelation that had been kindly lingering in the back of my mind, out of the way of my cookie enjoyment.

I personally, have been trying very hard to eat a balanced meal, generally with a main course and a good sized salad.  But the fact of the matter is that these junk foods are made available for easy consumption - and I do not believe that it is Mudd alone.  The benefit of offering carrots, while much more healthy, would probably not have the same effect on attendance.  So while I understand their overwhelming presence, it is something that I thought necessary to share.