An 18-year old's freshman year in college is not only a test of his or her intellect, but also a test in social skills, adaptability to new living situations, and other conditions. This study examined the link of emotions to compulsive eating and its use as a coping mechanism for female college students. It explores the stresses of the transition from high school to college and how a breakdown in coping skills can lead to the development of an eating disorder. Twenty-nine resident freshmen females, averaging 18.5 years of age, responded to the survey. Results showed that 76 percent of the respondents had experienced a binge. Their average weight gain over a seven-month period was 4.34 pounds. Fifty-nine percent had changed their eating patterns since moving on campus. Seventy-nine percent gained from 2 to 20 pounds. Supporting the notion that binges are linked to emotion, the feelings respondents described prior to a binge included stress, boredom, and hunger. During a binge they felt relaxed, happy, and bored, while post-binge feelings included anger, depression, and sickness. The high incidence of disordered eating behaviors, distorted attitudes, and poor coping mechanisms, underline the importance of educating students about healthy eating. (RJM)