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So I'm a swimmer and a diver at my college. Swimming has me training 2 hours a practice, two practices a day, 5 days a week with the occasional practice/meet on the weekend.
Diving has me training 2 hours a day, 5 days a week.
Now for all of you that are not good at math, that's 6 hours of exercise a day for the whole week, on top of classes and homework.
But every once in a while when I get done with a practice, even though I'm extremely exhausted, I feel like going and playing a game of volleyball, or basketball or something.
I lose weight because of just swimming and diving because it's physically impossible to keep up with eating when I am on a minute to minute schedule like this.
My question is: can you be addicted to exercise and is it ever way to much to take on?

Do you enjoy what you do? What you describe is extreme, but that is what is expected and required of a high-performance athlete. If you enjoy your life, what's the problem? Your immune system may be compromised. There was a link on RJ to an article a few days back on the relationship between vigorous activity and immune function; for example, marathoners get more colds and flu. Is that an issue for you? How do you study? Do you have energy to keep up your grades? Do you feel like you are missing out on other things you value? Those might be questions that are pertinent.

As far as compulsion is concerned, some people do become compulsive about exercising to their detriment. When people become compulsive about an activity, it usually loses its joy. Be aware that when you stop this level of activity, it may be difficult to keep weight off.

You can be addicted, but that is only at the point where the exercise is becoming detrimental not only to your personal health (to the point where it is physically harming you) but also where it is affecting your social and emotional life. Addiction is a serious thing; however the 6 hrs. doesn't strike me as odd.

you'll change your perspective once you graduate from college, get a job in the Real World and slide into your 30's....

Well, grades actually improve. Since I have less time during the day to do homework and study, I consider those options way before movie nights and video games and t.v. Out of season I figure I can screw around for a bit and do the studying a little later.
Yes, I'm exhausted all the time, sometimes to the point where I fall asleep in class. But I like doing sports, it keeps me active.
Health? Well I suppose my body breaks down a lot more than usual. I usually develop low grade shoulder and back injuries that take about a week to heal, but other than that it's just exhaustion.
Maybe sometimes I feel like I NEED to do something? Almost like other people need a hit of nicotine or alcohol? Maybe.

no one can tell you it's too much or not enough or whatever.
but you need to know what drives you and what you're striving to achieve.

and you need to watch for what your body can tolerate.
Over training is insidious, it creeps up on you and then hits you
hard. Takes ages to recuperate after.
I feel slightly sorry for your rotator cuffs. :p

Isnt addiction to exercise a form of annorexia?

I get noticeably irritable and I don't sleep well if I don't exercise so I guess that could be symptomatic

yea - I've been addicted - but when the real world slows me down I actually make better gains. I tend to overtrain and it can cause a whole syndrome, where I can't sleep, feel hyper and tired at the same time and lose focus (except for the training).
You're 21, I'd enjoy it, because when the body starts to slow down, you have to accomodate it. I just had to take 3 weeks off and I was crazy - completely lost!
I still love a variety of sports - I still want to do everything.

i have a tendency to overtrain, which was not helped by being a triathlete for a while. I am just about over that and now just train once a day, 6 days a week (though less if I am tired... I am even disciplined enough now to do that.. lazy 5 day weeks like this one ha)

You can do more when you are younger... just be aware not to burn yourself out...

Better than a bag of chips?

Yes, there is exercise addiction. If you're exercising to the point where you forgo normal life activities (e.g. going to work, class, seeing friends) or exercise when you're injured, then you've got a problem.

Yes, you can take on too much in life. But I guess if you're happy with what you're doing, then go for it. If all that sport is getting in the way of other things then maybe consider scaling back.