Oh, how I love being an Exercise Science Major... lol. Although I really do love it, other people have no idea what it is. When I am asked what my major is, I normally reply with "I am majoring in Exercise Science, I want to do physical therapy." I have to explain that I'm not just studying the science of exercise.

So if you're an Exercise Science/Kinesiology major like me, I'm sure you have been asked these questions before:

1. "So like, do you study Exercise?"

Yes, but not exactly. I'm sure you all think we learn how to properly do push-ups and sit-ups. More so, we learn how the different muscles are interacting in that pushup and the function behind each one. We learn how the body responds to different movements and the physiology of it.

2. "What do you do with that degree?"

Oh, the question many Exercise Science students ask them selves all the time! Exercise Science is, in light of a better word, a "base line" for further careers in Kinesiology. Most of us will continue education by going to Physical/Occupational School, Masters programs, Certified Athletic Trainers, ect.

3. "Are you gong to work with athletes?"

HAHAHAH! Actually, most of us will be working with the outgoing generation, meaning old people! Some of us will specialize and work more with the sports and athletics, others will focus on pediatrics. Exercise Science incorporates a range of all ages.

4. "What if you don't get into PT school?"

Well we have certainly thought of this when we make bad grade. What will I do? My GPA is going to be too low for PT school? Honestly we don't know. It is a super competitive profession but luckily there are many options for school. We may not get our first choice but hopefully we get one. If not, then we either try again next year or find something related to do!

5. "Can you train me?"

Ummm...No. I can recommend exercises to you that will target certain muscles. But I'm not a licensed personal trainer. Maybe in a few years.

6. "What college are you in?"

Well, I have come to the conclusion that no one knows where to put us. Sometimes it'll be under the College of Education, College of Human Sciences or sometimes the College of Science

7. "That seems like an easy major. Is it?"

It's not easy. We have to take all the core sciences, multiple psychology classes, as well as Kinesiology related classes. Most of us are enjoying what we are learning because it interest us and is something we want to do, so we may not seem to suffer as much as other majors. We do have to take a lot of classes as well as extra classes for prerequisites if we want to go to Physical Therapy school.

8. "Are you a health freak too?"

Being healthy is a personal choice. Just because our area of study includes health doesn't mean we're all healthy.

9. "Can you massage my back for me?"

We aren't massage therapist or chiropractors. We may know how to work out knots and what not but that's it. In PT school we take like one or two massage therapy classes.

10. "Will you be in school long?"

This depends on what we are doing with our Exercise Science degree. Anywhere from four to eight years or so.

11. "Do you like it?"

If you are an Exercise Science major, you most likely LOVE IT! It's one of the majors that can have a personal meaning and effect for the student. We enjoy what we learn and we want to spread our knowledge to other people and make an impact on their lives.