13 Things I’ve Learned In Phys Ed: An Open Apology to My Gym Coaches

I would be lying if I said I enjoyed the majority of my time in gym class at MHS. For kids like me, highly academically focused with little to no physical coordination whatsoever, phys ed was a form of personal hell. I anxiously entered each bout with the gymnasium, fearful of being picked last or dropping the ball or letting my teammates down. Aside from having an entire success complex imposed upon me in part by the highly competitive atmosphere at MHS, I hated the competition of gym sports more than anything. Although activities like walking the track and badminton were enjoyable purely because of my physical isolation from other students, most sports with any sort of ball, such as speed or soft, frustrated me to no end.

In a fit of rage a few weeks ago, I angrily yelled at a teammate who was tormenting me for once again letting the ball into the goal, “It’s just gym class! It doesn’t count for anything!” To some extent, this is true: whoever wins or loses in gym speedball will not determine the fate of our futures, but in many respects, the psychological impact of phys ed is long lasting. This is why gym class, for me, matters.

1. Your physical strength does not define how successful you will be. What matters is that you try your hardest and your best. Anything less is not worth your time.
2. Working with other people is a drag. You will have to do it your entire life. Suck it up and get to work.
3. Taking an hour long break from focused thinking is healthy. Walking around a track, as monotonous as it may get, can be one of the best coping mechanisms.
4. Competition is a natural part of life. Avoiding it is impossible, partaking in it is inevitable, succeeding in it is ideal. Strive for the ideal and shake it off when you don’t quite achieve it.
5. Class periods are 59 minutes (45 if you subtract time to change); the average pop song lasts 3.5. This provides time for approximately 13 songs to jam out to. Do not waste this opportunity.
6. Nothing is embarrassing if you don’t let it embarrass you.
7. Addendum to #4: falling on your butt is also a natural part of life. Laugh it off and move on.
8. Everyone has to jog around the gym. Grin and bear it; hard work pays off in the long run.
9. There will always be opportunities to try again and improve. Gym meets ¾ of the cycle.
10. Encouraging others, even when you are in a foul mood, will brighten everyone’s day.
11. Everyone deserves a high five.
12. Never let other’s mistakes affect your attitude. Learn and grow from them, and you will be a better person because of it.
13. There are people in the world who want to see you fail. Phys Ed teachers are not among them.