GPA. Does it stand for General Physical Activity? Or Grade Point Average? Did you know that by increasing one, you could simultaneously raise the other?

Though the majority of college students workout because of the physique benefits, there are a number of other reasons to workout. Exercise aids in stress relief, improves sleep quality, strengthens your immune system and can help with weight control. Some studies have shown that regular exercise also makes you more alert, gives you more energy and can improve your brain chemistry. According to Fitness Management magazine's October issue, "exercise leaves you focused and alert without the caffeine jitters."

Penn State student Lauren Brown (senior-marketing) recently visited the fitness center on an afternoon before an important exam.

"Exercise helps calm me down and helps me focus on studying as opposed to getting all nervous," she said.

John Dunn, who operates the University of Idaho's Student Recreation Center, has a theory that students who workout at the facility achieve a higher grade point average.

In the October edition of Fitness Business-Pro magazine, Dunn said, "the GPA of those who visited here at least once was 3.01 versus 2.67 for those who never visited," referring to data from a 2003 survey by the recreation center.

At Penn State's MBNA Fitness Center in the White Building, I have seen students come to the cardio room armed with highlighters and notebooks ready to sweat off some pounds and catch up on studying at the same time. These highly motivated individuals know that the combination of moderate amounts of exercise and studying is better than large amounts of either. Doing both together is a great way to save time.

For those of you who don't feel you can squeeze in a trip to the gym, try some of these creative strategies to add exercise to your study time.

While you are studying, make a deal with yourself to do a set of 10 push-ups every time you get to the end of a chapter. Or do pull-ups or sit-ups instead. Either way, by the end of a long study session you are likely to have accumulated a substantial number of exercise minutes as well as study minutes.

Challenge your roommates to take a study break and run the stairs in your building. Did you know that 15 minutes of stair climbing could be enough to clear your head and to burn off half of a Subway sandwich?

Buy a stability ball, one of those big, inflatable exercise balls they sell at Target. Sit on the ball instead of a desk chair while you study. From time to time, adjust your position on the ball so that your muscles have to work to stabilize you rather than relaxing in a chair.

Buy an exercise video and set aside a specific time each day to play it. If everyone in your apartment or dorm decides to take a study break at the same time, it can be a very motivating group-exercise session. If your downstairs neighbors complain about the noise, invite them to join you. For help choosing a video, try www.collagevideo.com.

Pick one day a week when you workout first thing, that way you avoid the "I-will-workout-later" trap.

Get up, get your sneakers on and go for your walk before anything else has time to creep into your schedule. Many students choose this strategy on weekends.

Take a kinesiology class that includes movement. You can get exercise and earn academic credit at the same time. There are a number of great activity classes to choose from. See eLion for a complete list.

Dance! Put on some music and move around your apartment. You will work up a great sweat after just 20 minutes of dancing.

Most people find recreational dancing makes them happy, too.

These are just a few strategies.

Not all of them are suitable for all students.

Pick and choose until you find one that works for you.

Just remember that there is a substantial body of evidence that shows an increase in your General Physical Activity (GPA) is likely to result in an improved Grade Point Average (GPA). Get moving!