After sitting through Elon’s required health class I feel compelled to give my opinion.

This class is very close to a pure waste of time. It is a mere reiteration of common facts that most all university students are aware of.

These facts include the importance of eating healthy meals, exercising frequently, getting adequate sleep, not over-consuming alcohol, knowing that cigarettes are terrible for health and so forth.

There is nothing novel or profound about the lessons taught each day in class.

The lessons are simply the repetition of facts that were stated over and over again throughout our recent history.

Additionally, students are not in the least bit enthusiastic to be in health class.

There is an overall sense of boredom and even jest, because it seems very silly for young adults to be lectured on a subject for middle schoolers.

I have sat through this class for more than a month now and today was the first day that there was full attendance, only because a take home test was given out during class.

I understand and respect Elon’s intention of requiring a health class for all students; it shows that Elon cares about its students and their health.

However, after experiencing the class for myself, I have found that it is a waste of time, energy and credit hours that could be spent on something else.

This time could be spent on courses of which students are not completely familiar with. This time could be spent on courses that actually spark students’ curiosity and desire to learn.

It would fulfill the wish of all future Elon students if this class and its repetitive lessons were erased from Elon’s required curriculum.

The requirement to take College Health and Wellness leaves students marginally empowered, but the gender and body specific knowledge given leads to generalizations that could leave a student more confused than necessary.

The repetition of healthy strategies lifestyles is useful, but may not warrant an entire class.

Student: John McAllister, ’08 - 04/26/07