By Sam Morgan
Under the new academic requirements this year, freshmen are required to take a Lifetime Fitness course at some point during their first two semesters. While many students have complained of having one more class to worry about, there has been some positive feedback, if only as a result of this class’s unintended impact upon the student body.
“I’ve noticed that many of the students during the lectures are in the process of getting their 8 hours of daily recommended sleep,” said Meg Pomerantz, the professor of all Lifetime Fitness courses.
“It is important to get at least 8 hours of sleep because the body needs 8 hours of rest, and sleep is the best way to rest for those 8 hours which should be used for sleeping.”
Not all who have attended these classes agree with Pomerantz, however. Some have even found other reasons to explain why the body continues shutting down in the middle of class.
“I just think it’s pointless for me to pay attention to the lectures when she puts the outlines up on Blackboard before the lecture and then reads straight from the PowerPoint,” said freshman Maury Oliver, a student in one of Pomerantz’s many Lifetime Fitness classes.
Pomerantz was quick to speak further on the subject after consulting her notes on-line.
“Each individual is solely responsible for their own health because their health is dependent on their fitness which is in each person’s responsibility to be well and fit which has to happen for them to be healthy. And sleep is a big part of being healthy along with fitness and wellness and so if a student wants to sleep to become healthy and well then by all means let them sleep because a good night’s rest, even if it comes at three in the afternoon, is important to being healthy and fit because all of that makes you become in shape, which people like to look at more so it is important to be fit and get a good night’s sleep, no matter what time of day it might be,” she said.
“I mean how can anyone not fall asleep?” said Maury.
Maury is currently enrolled in PHYA 112 Introduction to Walking. While dressing out for class, he was asked if he is at least worried about the “activity” portion of this particular class, Maury gave a shrug.
“I think I can handle it,” he stated. “I mean, I’ve only been walking since I was a year old.”