Students at colleges across the country have started petitions urging their professors to cancel classes due tot heir 'emotional distress after Donald Trump won the election.

Petitions to cancel classes at Loyola University New Orleans, Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins University in Maryland have attracted hundreds of signatures.

'Loyola students are exhausted and exasperated from this election and no one wants to go to class,' wrote the creator of the petition, which has attracted 341 signatures so far.

'The only cure to an election hangover is drinking a cold beer in bed... all day.'

Scroll down for video

Petitions to cancel classes at Loyola University New Orleans (above), Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins University in Maryland have attracted hundreds of signatures

Bryn Mawr student Mia DiMeo addressed her petition, which is also well on the way to reaching its goal of 500 signatures, to the college's president.

'After a stressful election night, we need this,' she wrote.

The third petition, directed towards Johns Hopkins University president Ron Daniels, says students need a day off to recover from 'emotional distress.'

'We as students are anxious and fearful for the future,' the petition states.

'Right now our primary focus is on the outcome of the election and the future. We'd really appreciate the time to process the results because it will not be easy for a lot of people and families if Trump will become president.'

The petitions come as a number of the country's top universities went into meltdown following Trump's shock victory, with professors cancelling exams and organizing strikes.

On Wednesday, a Yale economics professor announced he was making an exam 'optional' after receiving 'heartfelt notes' from multiple students who were in shock over the result.

Other teachers cancelled classes and one professor from Cleveland State University told her students to come dressed in 'warm clothes' as they were going on strike.

Schools in Boston offered counselling so that students could face the 'challenging weeks' ahead - while other educators opted to bring in their pets as 'therapy'.

A Yale economics professor announced he was making an exam 'optional' after receiving 'heartfelt notes' from multiple students who were in shock over the election result

The University of Maryland was one of a number of schools across the country that decided to postpone exams, with professor Alan Peel labelling Trump a 'hazard'.

'The nation in which you currently reside decided last night to elect a president whose own words have painted him a moral and possibly physical hazard to many of us,' he wrote in an email to students.

'I am convinced it is necessary to postpone any assessments whose scores might very well reflect circumstances far beyond the mastery of the current material.

'I debated whether to press on today in the spirit of re-establishing normalcy, but have come to realize that my position and my background may have afforded me the privilege to do so. Others may find they do not have that privilege.'

A Yale economics professor gave his students a reprieve following the result, saying he would let the students decide whether or not they wanted to sit an exam.

'I am getting many heartfelt notes from students who are in shock over election results,' the educator said - writing even before the election result had been confirmed.

Elizabeth Bly, a Women's Studies professor from Cleveland State University, called on her students to join her in a protest

Berkeley High School students (pictured) assembled on the UC Berkeley campus in protest against the result

One professor brought her dog to class with a tage around its collar saying: 'Do you need a hug'

'These students are requesting that the exam be postponed. I am making the exam optional.'

Elizabeth Bly, a Women's Studies professor from Cleveland State University, called on her students to join her in a protest.

'Please dress warmly. We are striking today,' she wrote.

'Women and brown and black people are unsafe now more than ever.'

The University of California, Berkeley created safe spaces for minority students and healing spaces for women and members of the LGBT community.

'We know that the results of yesterday's election have sparked fear and concern among many in our community; in particular our immigrant and undocumented communities, Muslim, African American, Chicanx/Latinx, LGBTQ+, Asian and Pacific Islander communities, survivors of sexual assault, people with disabilities, women, and many others,' an email sent to students read.

The University of Maryland was one of a number of schools across the country that decided to postpone exams, with professor Alan Peel labelling Trump a 'hazard'

The University of Vermont's president Tom Sullivan offered time for tea and meditations.

'This is a challenging time for many of our colleagues and students, who may be feeling isolated and concerned for personal welfare,' he wrote.

A letter was sent to parents and students at public schools in Boston on Wednesday saying counselors were available to anyone who has concerns after Tuesday's election.

Boston Superintendent Tommy Chang sent a letter to parents at district schools on Wednesday saying counselors were available

Boston Superintendent Tommy Chang said in the letter that resources were available and that it was important to be strong for the students.

'The coming days and weeks may be challenging for many, and celebratory for others,' he wrote.

'We must ensure that our students feel safe by providing safe and respectful learning communities. We are fortunate to live in a democracy where we can hold these conversations even if we disagree with the outcome.'

It comes as furious students started protesting across the country with more than 1,500 angry California high school students walking out of classes in Berkeley.

Some students held anti-Trump signs that read 'Nasty Women Unite,' 'F*** Donald Trump' and 'No Deportation, No Profiling, No Brutality.' Others waved Mexican flags.

Trump's poll-defying win has sparked a wave of similar rallies across the country.

A letter was sent to parents and students at public schools in Boston on Wednesday saying counselors were available to anyone who has concerns after Tuesday's election

In New York, which voted overwhelmingly in favour of Hillary Clinton, demonstrators descended on Union Square and Columbus Circle, chanting 'Black Lives Matter' and 'Donald Trump, go away, racist, sexist, anti-gay.'

Thousands are expected to march uptown to picket outside Trump Towers, where the President-elect will live before moving into the White House in January.

Protests are stopping traffic in the streets of Chicago, Illinois, while downtown Portland, Oregon, is overrun with disgruntled voters.

Outside the White House a candlelit vigil is being held in protest against Mr Trump's inflammatory and divisive brand of politics. Demonstrations are being held in at least seven cities.

Youth in revolt: Berkeley High School students begin to march after assembling in front of Sproul Hall on the UC Berkeley campus in protest to the election of Republican Donald Trump as President of the United States in Berkeley, California

Chicago: At Trump International Hotel and Tower, activists carried signs reading: 'Stop Trump! Shut down white supremacy'

Young men and women shield their candles from the wind as they gather outside the White House on Wednesday night