The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how females enrolled at a four-year institution of higher education in a northern state described how participation in leisure and campus-sponsored physical activity helped manage their academic stress. Recent research suggests that females often experience academic stress at higher levels than males. Females, in general, tend to wear many hats and play many roles. Support and resources can be an essential outlet when it comes to increased participation in the completion of academic pursuits. This addresses the problem that it is unknown how female college students majoring in physical education and recreation describe their participation in campus-sponsored or leisure physical activity and whether it helps them cope with academic stress. The goal was to explore through participants' personal experiences how physical activity and academic stress are perceived. The findings of this study contributed to the field of post-secondary and adult education by adding new qualitative information related to how females use physical activity to cope with the academic stressors of college. Two main research questions were posed: RQ 1: "How do females attending colleges in the United States describe physical leisure activities to help them deal with academic stress?" RQ 2: "How do females attending colleges in the United States describe the ways that campus-sponsored physical activity programs help them deal with academic stress?" A sample of 10 college females described through one-on-one interviews how physical activity was utilized to reduce stress, how physical activity helped them release and refocus during intense moments in school (exams, finals, projects, semester grades, etc.), and how participation in physical leisure activities and campus-based physical programs may or may not influence their academic stress levels. The target population for this study was female students attending college full-time at a university in a northern state. Selective criteria for participation allowed for a smaller group and sample size of participants that have completed at least one semester in their major field. Data were collected through individual interviews and journal logs with detailed descriptions of participant perceptions concerning how physical activity helped them control stress. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]