Exam stress is part and parcel of the student experience, but one university professor in the USA has decided that it's all a bit too much. 

University of Georgia professor Richard Watson will allow students who feel unduly stressed by their course grade to go ahead and pick whatever grade they want, Campus Reform has reported.

The unusual grading method is part of what Dr Watson calls his 'stress reduction policy'.

"Emotional reactions to stressful situations can have profound consequences for all involved," the policy note begins.

It notes that all exams will be open book, will be designed for 'low level mastery' and can be completed in half the time allotted. 

"If you feel unduly stressed by a grade for any assessable material or the overall course, you can email the instructor indicating what grade you think is appropriate, and it will be so changed. No explanation is required," it adds. 

Students doing group work can walk out of the group without explanation if they feel unduly stressed by the group's dynamics and can choose to be totally assessed by non-group work. 

Dr Watson conceded that the policy might "hinder the development of group skills and mastery of the class material,” but has argued that ultimately it is a student's responsibility to master a subject.