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One of the most stressful periods in a college student's life is final exam week. Five to six tests in eight days, little sleep, intense pressure, and crabby roommates make for an unpleasant, even unhealthy lifestyle. Often, as much as 40 percent of a student's grade in a class may depend on the final exam.

Are there any escapes from this madness? Thankfully, many colleges offer stress-zapping solutions in an attempt to refresh students and get their minds off the burden of the books.

"Let Them Eat Pizza!"

Each year at the University of Connecticut (Storrs, CT), dozens of faculty and staff volunteers, even President Philip E. Austin, cook, serve, and clean up after a midnight breakfast for students. The event, held on the eve before final exams, provides hungry studiers an A+ feast from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. In fact, last year's midnight breakfast fed over 2,000 stressed-out students.

Following UConn's lead that a full stomach eases anxiety, other colleges and universities also offer free test-time pizza, subs, and snacks like fruit and pretzels at study stations around campus. Ask anyone - food is definitely a way to draw a collegiate crowd.

Adventure Away The Anxiety

The list of other non-traditional stress-breakers held on campuses nationwide doesn't end in the stomach.

The University of South Carolina (USC, Columbia, South Carolina) holds a "Stress Blowout at The Blatt." This semi-annual event, held 6 p.m. to midnight at the university gym and fitness center, gives the school's 26,000 students a chance to socialize, and claim freebies like snacks and university merchandise, door prizes, and pizza.

Three-on-three basketball tournaments, racquetball, and indoor rock-climbing are some of the anxiety-battling adventures USC students can delve into.

It's Not Just Test Stress

Other leading causes of student stress? choosing a major and finding employment upon graduation. Because some colleges and universities urge their students to pick a major quickly, it's often a cause of angst amongst uncertain co-eds.

"We've always had the problem of students winding up in careers they don't really want," says James Archer Jr., a University of Florida (Gainesville, FL) counselor education professor. "This problem is exacerbated by asking students to choose a major or career prematurely."

Archer insists students seek out help on campus and explore internships and opportunities to discover the fields they may be interested in pursuing.

Help Is Always Out There...

Thanks to the Internet, there's always a caring cyber-connection for students in the stressed-out sector. Many college and university homepages offer chat rooms and on-line support groups to fill in the gap when counselors aren't available. Many sites even provide links to college counseling centers and tips on a variety of subjects, as well as phone numbers students can call to set up one-on-one counseling.

Stress-Busting Support

One of the most important things to remember is that it's completely normal to feel overwhelmed by college, studying, and career options.

Make sure that when you hit campus -- especially if you're feeling pressured -- you take advantage of university-sponsored stress busters, support groups, counseling, and career center seminars. It will make the whole experience more manageable.

My Stress Demon? Procrastination

The most stressful time in my college life came as a result of my biggest academic weakness: procrastination!

In my first public relations (PR) class (my major), the final 20 percent of our grade was to be a thoroughly researched pr campaign. We each had to assemble an extensive portfolio containing a company background, mission statement, ideas for company events and clients, advertising samples, corporate literature, press releases, publicity shots, and progress charts.

For some reason, I thought I could get it all done the day before. However, my friend got sick with food poisoning that night and we had to take her to the emergency room. Needless to say, I didn't get to start my project until 11 p.m.

I was so stressed out and furious with myself, all through the wee hours of the morning. Of course, my project was incomplete and very weak, and I got an F.

I've never been that careless about an assignment since. I won't say that I've stopped procrastinating, but I definitely devote more time, effort, and respect to major assignments.

Remember that your professors monitor your performance. My prof examined my previous work and wrote on my portfolio "I can't believe someone who made an A on the last exam is capable of doing so miserably on such a big assignment." Ouch!

Most stress you will encounter at college will be alleviated by preparation. Prove to your professors that you're a top-notch student; they'll be your resume references later!

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