<p>What do they actually do in the swimming class? Do they make you dive or something else? I'm extremely scared about the swimming class at Cornell!</p>
<p>Well if you are that scared then don’t take that class. You could always learn how to float over the summer 
Otherwise - I highly doubt it will be anything too intensive. You probably have to learn how to hold your breath underwater though.</p>
<p>Do you attend Cornell right now? If so, what did you guys do in the class?</p>
<p>I didn’t take the class. I learned how to float over the summer and passed the swim test instead. If you can float, you can pass.</p>
<p>So there’s a swimming test each Cornell student has to pass? Better be on a hot day :)</p>
<p>Colene, is it intense - the swimming test? Are there any people who are really slow or will I just be embarrassing myself if I try to pass the test (after practice)? Is it outdoors or is it in an indoor pool? And, how many people perform the test at once??</p>
<p>The swimming test is indoors. It is the exact opposite of intense. Like i said, just learn how to float across a pool (doggy paddle would do) and you would be fine. They try to get as many students in there at a time as possible, so 1 person / lane.</p>
<p>hey colene, how many laps do we have to do? oh so we can do any thing, as long as we get to the other side of the lane?</p>
<p>I just checked cornells website. Says the first stretch you do on your belly, the second on your back, and the third is whatever you want. Then I hear some say you can do the whole thing however you want. Might just depend on the proctor and how strict they are. Basically it just sounds like the school’s way of making sure you won’t drown if some kid pushes you into a pool.</p>
<p>basically, if you can float and swim 75 yards, you will pass.</p>
<p>There aren’t points for form, style, or (within extraordinarily wide limits) how long it takes you to do so.</p>
<p>Instructions are one length on your front, one length on your back and the last however you want. They generally suggest that the weaker swimmers take an outside lane, in case you have to grab onto the edge of the pool and there are lifeguards at the ready for assistance. If you’re really not comfortable doing it, take beginning swim and learn an important life skill. You can go as slowly as you want, although when I took mine there were people from the swim team there that would stop any of the really excellent swimmers and try to recruit them.</p>
<p>i can sorta float but not swim so im going to take swimming lessons over the summer. what happens if i fail the test though? will i be forced to take swimming for my PE class? :(</p>
<p>Err…according to my friend who already graduated from Cornell, he insisted that it’s better to take the class because it’s an easy credit. And yes, a swim test is required for Cornell - for drunk people who magicly fall into the water. If you pass, then the class isn’t required.</p>
<p>I already know how to swim, but I’m probably going to flunk the test just to take the class xP I love the water so it’s a win-win :3</p>
<p>So again, what exactly happens in the swimming class? I understand the actual test and stuff but there is no way I can dive and other things for the class… And then you still have to take the test at the end of the class!</p>
<p>I assume that the class is geared towards giving you the basic skill of being able to pass the test? I’m sure that they are very experienced dealing with people who have “water phobia” and will attempt to “desensitize” you to the water & your fear of it. You won’t be the only one, remember, the vast majority of students in the class will be there because they couldn’t pass the test.</p>
<p>You are right, they are all probably unable to swim… But I just really needed some commentary from someone who has actually taken the class</p>
<p>You don’t want to take the class just because it’s an “easy” credit. Come on, it’s gym credit - do something fun with it. There is a crazy amount of interesting gym classes out there and they are not at all hard. [Cornell</a> Physical Education: Course Offerings](<a href=“Physical Education | Cornell University”>Physical Education | Cornell University)</p>
<p>I definitely agree with Colene, don’t take beginning swim if you can in fact swim. They have higher level swimming classes if that’s what you’re looking for or try something new and fun. I’ve had friends in classes like bowling, tree climbing, yoga, horseback riding, ice skating and handgun safety.</p>