<p>And I hear that this may pose a problem with Notre Dame and their swim test. When do they perform these tests and I hear that if you don't take it/fail it, you have to take swimming classes as your physical education? Are they as serious about it as I hear they are? :/</p>
<p>Well, if you fail, you do have to take swimming classes, but you have to take PE anyway, so it's not like an extra burden. The test takes place the first week of school. It consists of three stages, all of which you can test out at the end of, the first being a 25 meter lap, freestyle, followed by two 25 meters, and then if you don't pass after that, four 25 meter laps, which can be done any way you want. Basically, if it seems like you would be in legitimate danger if you fell out of a boat or other such situation, you'll fail, but if it looks like you can take care of yourself, you should be fine.</p>
<p>I would view it as an opportunity! The swimming PE is there for if you need the help, so if it doesn't work out, embrace it. You may learn that you love swimming :).</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm in the same boat. I never learned how to swim and am a bit worried about that swim test. Now I'm pretty sure I can keep myself afloat and not drown and just slowly make my way around but I dunno if they'd accept that.</p>
<p>I agree with irish68178</p>
<p>My college required that too but I was always excused due to schedule conflict with varsity sport.</p>
<p>I took swimming lessons after started working when I was close to 30, all because of a pool party where they were throwing everyone in and they did not care if you knew how to swim or not. I heard one guy went straight down and they had to get go in to get him. Luckly I arrived at the party late and was spared.</p>
<p>For my kids, started them swimmingwhen they were 4 years old. </p>
<p>Take the lesson. You never know when you need it.</p>
<p>If you really want to try to pass the test, have you thought about lessons this summer? Most YMCA branches offer lessons and you will be taught the proper strokes. Freshman son passed the test this past fall, having learned to swim at camps during his elem and jr hi years. But, he went to our local pool last summer and swam laps and practiced strokes. He was not sure what to expect and figured he would at least try to prepare. I do remember him saying that the guy in front of him and behind him both failed the test and were put into swimming for PE. So, I can't comment as to how strict the tests are. I do think it is a good requirement in terms of knowing how to swim--you never know when you might need it. And, it certainly does not mean you need to meet swim team regulations. Good Luck!</p>
<p>I passed it, but let me tell you - ideologically, it is one of the school's dumber traditions. It's very much an experiment gone awry in social engineering. </p>
<p>Student - "Why do we have to take the swim test?"</p>
<p>NOTRE DAME - "Because..we believe in the principles of swimming. People should know how to swim. It's a valuable life skill. We believe in well-rounded individuals and in wholeness and wellness."</p>
<p>Student - "Please - cut the crap. Yes, swimming is a valuable skill. But who are you to make sure that I can perform it? Having a healthy diet, good study habits, wearing a seatbelt, and making prudent financial decisions are also good habits. But I can take care of myself - why does ND insist on wasting my valuable time?"</p>
<p>NOTRE DAME - "Because we care. We care about you. Oh, and those other habits? That's where the Contemporary Topics component of our Phys Ed class. We're really looking out for you."</p>
<p>Student - "But I got into this school because I am capable of looking out for myself. I find your attitude very condescending. Phys Ed class actually deters from homework time, yes?"</p>
<p>NOTRE DAME - "Oh."</p>
<p>I love Our Lady University, but what you will learn is that the Phys Ed department is simply a relic of its tradition and past. It is a dinosaur and should go the way of said animals.</p>
<p>The reason we have the swim test is because some old benefactor donated a rather large sum of money with the one stipulation that every student be able to swim, because a family member had drowned in a lake somewhere.</p>
<p>Or so the legend goes.</p>
<p>Just transfer, then you are exempt :) though I would have been exempt anyway because I am a lifeguard.</p>
<p>Are lifeguards exempt? Obviously I can swim as I am a lifeguard and you must pass a swim test to be one, but I assumed they made you take the test as a formality.</p>
<p>If you have a lifeguarding certificate, you don't have to take it.</p>
<p>swimming is fun either way. i had to take swimming classes, and it was no biggie. it just meant that for me, every monday and wednesday i went to the pool to swim around for 50 minutes. not a bad deal bc i enjoy being around water either way.</p>
<p>I agree with Mike</p>
<p>Take it as an opportunity! Take it as a challenge, something to practice at, learn, and accomplish. If you've never been challenged or taught to swim, take this as a blessing. Being in the water is great, and I'm sure you will be happy once you learn how to swim. Dont be so discouraged!</p>
<p>I love the swimming requirement! The only other school I have heard of that has one is MIT...I'm sure there are others, but I love the weird archaic nature of it.</p>
<p>William and Mary had a swimming requirement 30 years ago when I graduated. I wasn't a great swimmer, but luckily, I was teamed up with someone who was worse and all eyes were on her - and I think a few bets may have been taken as to whether she would survive the ordeal.</p>
<p>What is actually involved in the swimming test? Is there certain strokes or something you have to do, or just be able to do a couple laps freestyle?</p>
<p>1 lap at first. if you successfully do this, then you dont have to do any more. if the tester feels that you are unsteady with swimming he/she will ask you to perform 3 more laps. if you cannot do this, you fail and have to take 2 rotations of swimming. there are 6 rotations overall freshman year for pe, so you spend a third of the year swimming.</p>
<p>1 lap at first. if you successfully do this, then you dont have to do any more. if the tester feels that you are unsteady with swimming he/she will ask you to perform 3 more laps. if you cannot do this, you fail and have to take 2 rotations of swimming. there are 6 rotations overall freshman year for pe, so you spend a third of the year swimming. nothing to worry about.</p>
<p>Haha I'll probably be that girl cartera45, good to know I'll be repeating history :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the good advice everyone, I'm going to try out swimming lessons again and hopefully my fear of deep water will be conquered by my determination to survive (haha) at Notre Dame. :]</p>
<p>and by the way, does anyone know how long the swimming lessons in PE tend to last? one semester? less than? one year?</p>