Every student at Southern Adventist University is familiar with the Fitness for Collegiate Life class, but some students are a little more familiar than others. In fact, the class is actually the most repeated course on campus.
Fortunately, help is offered for students who are struggling with the class. The P.E. department has just implemented a new tutoring program for students who are having trouble setting up their accounts and keeping track of their work. On Sunday evenings from 5 to 7, students can meet with tutors who have already taken the class and were able to learn the technology with no issues.
“They have helped students more than I ever have,” physical education professor Mike Boyd said.
Boyd said that he believes the technology is the biggest issue students have with the class. Even students who work out every week as they are supposed to come to him with this problem. If students have not properly set up their account, they cannot receive a grade.
This is an issue that disability services coordinator Mariella Pechero has observed for some time.
“I had one student who repeated the course five times,” Pechero said. “The exercise is something that often gets overlooked, and students wait until the last minute, or they don’t verify that their heart monitor is downloading.”
“There have been a significant number of students who haven’t done well in the class,” Boyd said. “Many come in thinking it’s going to be just another gym class like they had in academy. Well, welcome to college.”
Matthew Davis, senior construction management major, became a fitness tutor this semester because he was the only student to try the new watch last semester. He said that tutoring sessions are available to help students with anything from setting up their watches to guidance with homework and understanding things like the physical activity website.
“Polar’s new line of watches are more user friendly,” Davis said. “Our goal is to do our best to help students succeed in fitness classes here on campus.”
In addition to the new tutoring program, Pechero sponsors morning and afternoon runs every day Monday through Thursday to give students even more opportunity to get moving.