By 8 o'clock, the room was full. People had arrived 45 minutes early. The few who came later to find a place to sit in the crowded room were out of luck. Rejected, they sat in the hallway.

At 8 o'clock, it was time to begin. It wasn't a test or a class, it was "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Melrose Place" night in Simmons Hall TV lounge -- a chance to escape into the lives of Brandon and Brenda or to become a resident of America's favorite apartment complex.

Women in Simmons Hall arrive early to claim a spot in the space-limited TV lounges. On Wednesday nights, it's a given that the televisions will be tuned to Fox's nighttime dramas, said Julie Persing (senior-rehabilitation education). Any other night, show selection is on a first-come, first-serve basis, Persing added.

Whatever the show, television is a part of life for many students. After going to class, then doing homework, students want to turn to the shallow, empty escapism television offers, said Patrick Trimble, instructor of integrative arts.

Television takes people's minds off other things, letting them focus on other people's problems, said Stephen Couch, professor of sociology at Schuylkill Campus.

"I watch television to get away from the whole work, work, work thing," said Cole Cullen (sophomore-broadcast cable) as he took part in the Wednesday night ritual of watching "90210" and "Melrose." Cullen, who was the only man in attendance that night, was one of the lucky few to find a place in the lounge. But he didn't arrive early enough to claim a seat -- he had to sit on the floor.

During the semester, the pressure students face increases weekly. And television can be therapeutic for some people.

"It's a way to escape your own life for a little bit," said Susan Volpe (freshman-environmental resource management).

Students have limited time outside of classes, so they are selective when choosing programs, Trimble said. They are drawn to shows they can relate to, he said, adding that he is surprised at the popularity of soap operas.

Every day, Ann Havalchak (freshman-business administration) can be found in the McElwain Hall TV lounge at 3 p.m. Since fifth grade she has watched "Guiding Light," and even now, she said she finds time to watch.

Along with soap operas, "90210" and "Melrose," students often like "The Simpsons" and "Seinfield," Trimble said.

The satire and the hidden social commentary is what turned Erica Swenson (graduate-French) into a loyal "Simpsons" watcher, she said. Swenson, who records every episode, said "The Simpsons" is the only show she must see.

Andrea Bridenback (freshman-chemical engineering) said she enjoys "Seinfield" because of its portrayal of everyday situations. Bridenback added that she also watches "90210" and "Melrose" because she likes to make fun of the shows.

Because television is a passive medium, people can enjoy it without doing much, Trimble said. But keeping up with favorite shows and relieving stress through television can have negative effects when students use it as a way to dodge other responsibilities, he added.

When she isn't watching her favorite shows, Swenson -- who says she watches 14 hours of television a week -- said she constantly has the set on when doing activities that don't require a lot of brain power, such as cooking and cleaning.

And though she said she easily gets hooked on TV shows, if Swenson has studying to do, she said she would skip her shows.

But Havalchak said she plans her day around "Guiding Light."

"If I see a class at this time, I'll look to see if it's offered at another time," she said, adding that, ultimately, she would take the class if it wasn't offered at any other time.