Many students never understood the excuse, “I just don’t have time to workout,” until they got to college. It used to sound like a pathetic justification to avoid the gym. But the reality of it is that between academic obligations, social outings and personal time, college students do not find it easy to squeeze an ample workout into their schedules.

Luckily, SMU has a wide array of Wellness II courses. These classes, designed to promote physical health, are good for one credit hour. Though they are a general requirement, there is no limit on how many of them students can take. SMU offers a wide variety of classes, ranging from ballroom dancing to scuba diving, and everything in between.

Whether students are looking for a new hobby or just looking to get in shape, the wellness program is a great opportunity for them to take advantage of.

Students need not worry about these courses being too physically challenging. Grades are pass/fail, so every student who attends class can work at his or her own level, according to Lynn Romejko-Jacobs, SMU’s director of Applied Physiology & Enterprise, and wellness professor.

The fear of not being able to keep up with the class’ physical demands should not hold anyone back. When signing up for classes, students also shouldn’t worry about their current physical ability.

“They start you from the get-go. So if you’re really out of shape and don’t know what you’re doing, you’re going to learn,” Romejko-Jacobs said.

If a lack of motivation is what is keeping you from working out, Romejko-Jacobs said she recommends a competition class such as the Triathlon course.

“Getting in the triathlon class would be great because you would be around other people doing it,” she said. “And at the end of the semester they make you participate in one.”

So, the excuse of not having enough time to workout is just poor time management on the student’s part. SMU provides students with everything they need to manage both credit hours and fitness. Take advantage of SMU’s resources while you’re here and register for a wellness class to escape the stress of your academics.

For more information about wellness classes, visit smu.edu/education/wellness.