First, I have to say that this course surpassed my expectations. I originally enrolled in this course because it was a prerequisite for nursing. It quickly became more than another prerequisite class because it provoked me to do and want better for myself.

At the beginning of this year I had made ten resolutions and three of them were to lose fifteen pounds of weight, sleep eight hours per night, and move out of my mother’s house. January and February came and left, and by March I totally gave up on all three goals. I was disappointed in myself, especially in the month of March which was my birthday month.

In the first week of this course, we covered time management skills, fitness and wellness, positive choices and behavior. I was elated that first week’s material taught pertinent information to achieve my goals. I learned that goals must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound. This was an eye opener for me because when I wrote down my resolutions for 2019, I simply made a list of things I wanted to accomplish. I did not consider if these goals were specific, measurable and achievable by a desired deadline. It dawned on me that a goal that did not incorporate the SMART technique was simply a wish.

We further covered the following topics: Positive choices and behavior, fundamentals of fitness, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle fitness, flexibility and low back fitness, understanding body composition and body image, nutrition labels, eating for wellness, stress, mental wellness and chronic diseases, infectious diseases, and substance abuse and prevention.

Each topic provided vital information, analysis, tools and skills to foster my total wellness, which will generate inner happiness, self-worth, self-esteem and a bright hope for my future. I truly cannot wait to achieve my goals both personally and professionally. I have only one life and I intend to live it to the fullest.

All thanks to you, Prof. Knott.