There may be tons of reasons why young adults entering college gain an extra 15 pounds, but there are many ways to either avoid it or lose it altogether...

1. Pick a dining hall strategy, take a look at the whole buffet first and pick the healthiest items, not the ones that look the most appealing, because they're probably the most unhealthy.
- Load your tray up with fruits and vegetables first, then some healthy proteins, then some carbs/grains
- Make wise choices
Choose:
Roasted instead of Au gratin
Steamed instead of Sauteed
Broiled instead of Breaded
Marinara instead of Alfredo

2. Don't drink your calories, no sodas.
3. Get your butt moving, exercise daily if you can.
4. So, set a schedule of eating/exercising/snacking so that you can stay balanced.
There are 168 hours in one week. 
With sixteen units, you have 16 hours of in class time a week
- studying for 16 hours a week
- 20 hours of work
- 7 hours of sleep a night
So, with 67 hours of free time every week, there has to be time for you to exercise.
Some extra tips, eat every four hours & pack healthy snacks too.

Okay so I figured out that I have about 59 free hours per week, but it definately doesn't feel that way.  After school/work I'm just so exhausted to go to the gym and work out.  All I can think about it seeing my friends or taking a nap lol.  I guess setting a schedule/system that works for me would be the best thing.  I pay for a gym membership and I haven't gone in months, I need to start going or I'm going to regret it later.  When I do go, I have so much energy and I wonder why I stopped going... I guess it's just laziness.