Wow. Was this a cool idea, or what? Picture this:

John Q. Student is cramming like crazy this week. He’s got 34 papers due, 17 tests and a chronic bed-wetting problem because of it. He’s studying, studying, studying.

And in his spare time, he’s studying.

Finally, he pops. He pulls his hair out, wets his roommate’s bed this time, burns some books and starts singing “Memories” at all hours of the night on the steps of Beardshear.

John Q. Student is whacked. Before, he’d be doomed to a couple of “F’s” and some time in the loony bin. But not this semester. We’ve got Silly Putty now. And lots of it.

Throughout this week the Student Activities Center is sponsoring “Stress-Free Zones” around campus where students can go and play with squishy things, non-stressful things, to relieve the tension of a looming Finals Week. Among the toys will be bubbles and clay.

There’s nothing like a claymation of your favorite administrator to make you relax.

And then there are bubbles. We all know what fun bubbles can be.

In all sincerity, however, this is a neat idea, one that’s innovative and practical. Stress during these next two weeks is one of the most common complaints of students. Here’s a fun, festive way to deal with it.

And toys aren’t the only things these “zones” are offering. At some, during select periods of time, there will be massages. Think of it. Somebody else working out the tense muscle knots in your back, giving you a moment of academic pause.

Again, this is nearly pure genius. There’s nothing better than a massage — except a free massage. In fact, all this cool stuff — all the bubbles, the clay and the Silly Putty — is free.

Free is good. No stress is good. The zones are good. Find the zone.