Is Exercise Important to College Students?

Dr. Daniel Drane
Chair of Dept. of Physical Education, Sport
& Human Performance
Winthrop University

Zac Goodno
Junior, Healthcare Management Major
Winthrop University

Larry Wilson
Sophomore, History Major
Winthrop University 

   "If you can get to the point where you're consistently saying to yourself exercise is something that you want to do, then you're charting a course to a different future - one that is less about surviving and more about thriving." (Dr. John Ratey/jmu.edu)

       Getting enough exercise can be very beneficial to college students, both physically and mentally.
 Physically, exercise can help the body to function better and helps to decrease the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases.

   Studies have shown that people who spend more time watching television, sitting, or riding in cars have a bigger chance of dying earlier than people who get regular exercise. For more information on how exercise can be beneficial to college students physically, please visit www.hsph.harvard.edu.

    Mentally, exercise helps students to focus and concentrate better, it helps to boost their mood, and it also relieves stress.

 Exercising also helps to increase memory retention. The hippocampus is a structure in the brain that controls the formation and retention of memories. The hippocampus starts to shrink in most adults in their late 20s and causes memory loss over time. With regular exercise, the shrinkage can be prevented and can even promote regrowth.     For more information on how exercise can be beneficial to college students mentally, please visit www.aiuniv.edu.

    During my research on how exercise helps to improve college students, I interviewed three college students with three different majors and two professionals from the Department of Physical Education, Sport & Human Performance from Winthrop University.

    "I think it (exercise) is extremely important. It develops life long healthy skills and habits and it also helps to keep them in shape when they might not be eating all the proper foods that they need," said Dr. Daniel Drane when asked his opinion on the importance of exercise to college students.

    When asked how he feels after exercising, Larry Wilson said, "Sore. A lot sore, but I feel good, though. I feel more motivated."

Zac Goodno also said that he felt sore after exercising, but he liked doing it because it made him feel as if he accomplished something that day. 

    For the rest of these interviews and more, please visit my YouTube video The Importance of Exercise to College Students. You can also visit my poll and vote on whether or not you feel exercise can be beneficial to college students.

The Department of Physical Education, Sport, & Human Performance

The Weight Room inside the West Center.

Dr. Daniel Drane, Department Chair

Dr. Shelley Hamill, professor in the department.

The Department of Physical Education, Sport, & Human Performance is one of the most unique and largest departments on Winthrop University's campus. Housed in the West Center, its history dates back to when Winthrop University was an all girl's school. The first Physical Education majors graduated in 1920. Since then, more than 1,000 students has graduated from the program.

The mission statement of the department is to prepare leaders in athletic training, exercise science, physical education teacher education, sport management, and athletic administration at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

"Basically I'm chair of the department that has four majors, one masters, and a couple of minors," Dr. Daniel Drane, chair of the department, stated in reference to the size of the department. There are 425 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in five different programs.

"We have so much to offer. We have wonderful courses, great faculty, and we are in an amazing facility," stated Dr. Shelley Hamill, a professor in the department.

For more information on the Department of Physical Education, Sport, & Human Performance, you can visit Winthrop University's website.

In addition to the official website, you can also check out my YouTube video, The Department of Physical Education, Sport, & Human Performance for an inside look into the                                                                                                          department.

Would You Take A Beating For Tuition Money?

Winthrop University Student in Front of Richardson Hall

Winthrop University Student in Johnson Hall

Winthrop University Student in Johnson Hall

A heavyweight champion promises to pay your college tuition. In return, all you have to do is spend three ten minute rounds in the ring with him. Would you take his offer?

College can be very expensive, considering the cost of books, room and board, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses, among other things. Everyone's financial situation is different, but having the opportunity to have all expenses paid is something to take into consideration.

I went around Winthrop University's campus to ask random college students this question. Their responses were surprising and entertaining.

"I'd rather keep my face and have to pay. I wouldn't survive," said one student when asked the question.

"I come from a very poor family, so that would decrease my stress by so much. Oh my God, yes," another student stated.

To listen to the rest of their responses as well as other college student's responses, check out my YouTube video, "Would You?"

Tillman Hall on Winthrop University's Campus

I decided to research Tillman Hall at Winthrop University because I was interested in its history and foundation. I pass by the building occasionally on my way to some of my classes, but I never took the time to study the building until recently.

While doing my research on Tillman, I was surprised to find out that the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This fact alone fueled my curiosity even more.

More into my research, I also was shocked to find out that there have been reports of ghostly activity in the building. I was even more shocked when I found out that Benjamin Tillman, the man that the building is named after, could possibly be one of the ghostly visitors.

For more information and interesting facts about Tillman Hall, please visit my YouTube video, Tillman Hall Tour.

Most Anticipated R&B/Hip-Hop Albums of 2014

The new year has just rung in and the R&B/Hip-Hop fans are already impatiently waiting for their favorite artists to grace the world with their music and talents once again. Heavy hitters in this genre, such as Chris Brown, Frank Ocean, and Nas, are set to make their awaited return back to the charts with their future projects. 

                                                                  Morgan Grant

Morgan Grant, a student studying at Winthrop University, was eager to announce that she was anticipating the release of Frank Ocean's future project. "He can actually sing unlike most in the industry now and his sound is different," she said. 

Nas is set to release new material in 2014, as well. "I'm an open canvas, a clear canvas and an excited painter with a shaky hand. Not because of bad nerves, but of excitement," he was quoted as saying to MTV News of his forthcoming release. 

Chris Brown is also set to release a much awaited album this year. With him seeking treatment for his anger issues and his few legal troubles, this release could put him back on top of the charts and help to cleanse his public image. To his fans, this project could be a chance to show the Chris Brown haters that he is a true artist. 

For more information on these releases and more anticipated R&B/Hip-Hop albums of 2014, please visit MTV.com.