After Fall term this year, I realized I needed two physical education credits to graduate.
I passed skiing in the winter, and with just one more PE necessary to graduate, I did the most rational thing possible -- I signed up for three: a cabin weekend, tennis and a grant canoeing weekend.
All I need to do is make it to one tennis class next week and I pass, so the other two PEs are pretty much meaningless.
But the fear of not graduating because of a lack of PE credit was so paralyzing that I needed to make sure I passed by any means necessary. And I was not the only one in this boat. There are others.
And these are their stories.
Mary Brown '08 put off her swimming test until senior spring. There was only one problem -- she did not know how to swim.
"Luckily, I wasn't the only one. All 10 people in my class were [seniors], except for a lone [junior]. It was actually pretty fun, after I regained my dignity after the first couple of sessions," Brown said. "On the first day I had to stick my face in the water and blow bubbles out of my nose. Really? I'm 22 years old. It was helpful though, if not embarrassing. We also have a lifeguard, which adds to the loss of dignity factor. I mean, the water is less than four feet deep. I could save myself by standing up. So blowing bubbles in the water in front of the cute tattooed lifeguard was kind of like going back to elementary school -- completely with the giggling about how cute he was."
Brown also had a lot of praise for her instructor.
"The best part is she gives out these amazing complements that totally made me feel like I was progressing, even though I knew they were a little over the top," she said. "'Your kick, that was Olympic caliber.' Aw, thanks. We all passed our swim test and it's not even the end of the term. I am proud to say that I'm going to be a Dartmouth graduate who can backstroke. Awesome."
Haley Morris '08 failed PE classes quite a few times before finally passing her third and final PE this term.
"I've actually failed spinning three times, but I think it's because I didn't find the PE that's right for me," Morris recalled. "I've really been excited about skeet shooting. It's pretty much a new hobby of mine. It's going to stick with me well after graduation."
In addition to her spinning failures, Morris also failed whitewater kayaking and zen archery. Though there are some great options out there for PE credit -- skeet shooting being one of these -- they fill up pretty fast, especially if you are not up at 8 a.m. on the enrollment date.
My excuse until the last two terms was pure laziness. I never failed a PE class, but only because I never signed up for them.
But I do have a small bone to pick with the PE department. I recently returned from a weeklong canoeing trip with Ledyard Canoe Club where we paddled 220 miles from Hanover to the Long Island Sound.
If someone can get credit for a grant canoeing weekend, leading a DOC trip, skeet shooting, first aid, or wellness skills, I think it is only fair to give credit for a week-long canoeing trip sponsored by the College. I exercised more during the trip than I did in my three PE classes combined, and I almost got hypothermic one day. If that doesn't deserve PE credit, I don't know what does. Either way, I'm graduating.
And to the Class of 2009, I highly recommend going on Seniors to the Sea. What else are you going to do senior spring other than get more facetime (or write a thesis, which I guess is a reasonable excuse)? Maybe next year you can argue for PE credit. If I were you, I would certainly try.
Overall, the PE requirement is a bit archaic, but I do not oppose it. I have had a great time with my PE classes, and since I can swim, the swim test did not really present a problem.
But just like every other requirement, there are many seniors who wait until senior spring then, in a panic, get themselves up at 8 a.m. one lovely Wednesday morning to sign up and roll back into bed.
And best of all, there is nothing funnier than watching people pick up a sport at age 22.
I am really glad I did not have to watch myself ski that first week. It would have been a blow to my ego.
Good luck passing, Class of 2008. I want to graduate with you all.
