The life of a college student.

Despite the workload and other scholastic challenges involved in a semester of academia, students all over find the time to workout their thumbs through video games.

The Mason recreation department capitalized on students’ thirst for video games and challenged them to participate in an NFL Madden Tournament on Thursday night in Corner Pocket.

Sixteen participants began the tournament at 7 p.m. in Student Union Building II, playing four rounds until junior Health, Fitness and Recreation Resources major Isaac Johnson walked away as the champion.

“I can only play a couple games in a row,” Johnson said. “Otherwise, I get tired. So that was difficult.”

Despite playing a couple games a day, Johnson came into the tournament at a major disadvantage.

While Johnson plays at home on his XBOX 360, he was forced to make the switch to a Playstation 3 in the tournament.

As well, he typically plays online as the Detroit Lions but, because contestants could not update the standard 2012 rosters, Johnson adapted and elected to play with the 2012 NFC Champion New York Giants.

Johnson led at the half 14-7 and completed the victory by a final score of 23-14.

“The first game was the toughest,” Johnson said. “I went with the Cowboys in the first game and was matched up with the Steelers. I won by a touchdown but the game was really close.”

As a junior, Johnson still has one year left to compete in the tournament and plans to capitalize on the opportunity, aiming for his second straight title in 2013.