UHCL should offer physical education classes for course credit

Spring is upon us, and that means warmer weather and a glorious break looming just on the horizon. That is, of course, until we spring through one last hurdle – midterms. The added stress at this point in the semester has students and professors alike putting in hard work either behind a computer or at a desk, which includes sitting for long hours and consuming highly processed foods that provide a temporary boost of energy. What happens after that temporary boost though is an unsettling crash. The question is, do we reach for another candy bar or head to the free gym on campus for a quick workout?

The Mayo Clinic reports on its website that exercise not only helps to boost our energy and improve mood, it also helps us maintain our weight and combat serious health conditions and diseases. Harvard Health Publications stated in the Harvard Health Letter that regular exercise has positive impacts on the brain. This all sounds great, but the sad reality is that many of us find it difficult to implement healthy habits into our daily regime. Fear not, Hawks! The answer to all of these issues is simple. UHCL needs to provide physical education (P.E.) classes as an optional elective to students.

Memories of yesteryears float back to mind as many of us reminisce over the days of having recess and P.E. not as a choice, but as a requirement. Many of us relished those moments of running outside, filling our lungs with fresh air and leaving our studies behind, if only for a brief moment. When recess/P.E. was over, we felt refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of the day. Having the opportunity to exert some physical energy and allow our minds to focus on something less mentally strenuous, such as physical exercise, could make a big improvement in our academics, just like the good old days.

Gone are the carefree days of scheduled recess and P.E. As adults, we often do not have the luxury of having someone schedule our physical exercise. By not having the luxury of required P.E. classes, many students are left struggling to find a spare 30 minutes to workout during the week. Having to schedule time makes the whole idea of working out less exciting and, at times, kind of intimidating. Even though there is a free gym on campus, not all of us are able to take time out of our schedules to go workout.

Before transitioning to a four-year university, UHCL was a two-year, upper-level university filled with non-traditional students. The term, “non-traditional student,” is meant for those of us who occupy full-time jobs, are married with kids, etc., all in addition to being full-time students. Yes, non-traditional students are superheroes for making all of this possible. In this scenario, “free-time” generally is not an option, and if a spare 30 minutes happens to become available, chances are us non-traditional students are utilizing it for our studies.

If yoga, aerobics or kickboxing, for example, became an elective class option, both non-traditional students and traditional students would sign-up fast. Busy people are all about utilizing their time efficiently.

Students are at a key moment in life. This is a time when we can soak up the facts about living a healthy, balanced life and learn the importance of making smart decisions for our bodies as well as our minds.

One of UHCL’s largest feeder colleges, San Jacinto Community College, requires students to complete one course in P.E. in order to fulfill their course requirements. The San Jacinto Community College 2016-2017 course catalog listed roughly 60 physical education related classes ranging from martial arts and bowling all the way to beginner’s ballet and volleyball. The best part is that students who enroll in these classes not only have the benefit of enjoying physical exercise as part of a balanced routine; they also receive college credit for it. Sounds like a win-win.

As students, we continue to grow and educate ourselves in areas such as computer engineering, psychology and communication. However, it is time that we also educate ourselves on how to be healthy. UHCL will be breaking ground on a new Recreation and Wellness Center soon and it is time for UHCL to consider offering physical education elective classes for college credit. UHCL can help us achieve a healthy balanced life on top of our well-deserved degrees, thus creating truly well-rounded students (and not in a physical way.)