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Best U Classes You’ve Never Heard Of

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Alexis Jones Student Contributor, The University of Utah
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Utah chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

When class registration opens each semester, I’m among the hundreds of students rushing to sign up before I get booted to the waitlist. After the crazy rush, when I’ve kicked back in the chair and relaxed after figuring out my schedule, I have a tendency to spend countless hours searching and researching the class schedule for any interesting course to spice up the next semester. This time, my sleuthing has really paid off.
As I was looking at the schedule, scanning through all the ESSF and PRT courses, I noticed a category I’ve never seen before; LLREC. With one click I was instantly delighted to discover some of the most intriguing classes I never knew we had! The likes of “Full Moon Snowshoe Hikes”, “Introduction to Archery” and my personal favorite, “Aerial Dance: Silks and Trapeze” – you know, the kind of dancing where you get to move above the floor? Who knew the U offered these not-so-typical courses? Not me.
 

In addition to that little gold nugget category, you can find other super interesting courses under ESSF (I took triathlon training and scuba diving), PRTW, PRTS (I learned how to kayak), and PRTL.
Taking triathlon training really helped me to push myself out of my comfort zone in fitness. I’ve personally never been much of a swimmer, but the course taught me proper techniques and really gave me the push to bring my level of fitness up in multiple categories.
 
Scuba diving helped me in much of the same way. I’d been dying to take the course, and I’m happy with the experience I received. The first day of class we were diving in a nearby pool and learning techniques. The class was quite an adventure for someone who realized how terrified they are of being underwater for long periods of time during the first day of class. However, the instructors were great in helping me overcome my fear.
 
My advice to you is to take at least one of these classes before you graduate. I vouch wholly for them, and as a girl taking 24 credit hours and working part time, I know it’s possible to fit them into the busiest of schedules, and it totally pays off. 

Lexi Jones is a senior with a double major in journalism and anthropology at the University of Utah. Born and raised in Salt Lake City, she loves exploring the outdoors, rock climbing, music, and writing. She is currently a museum aid for the Bureau of Land Management. She has interned with LDS Living magazine as a writer, the Utah Museum of Natural History in the anthropology lab, and the National Society of Leadership and Success as a founding chapter president. Her inspirations are Mark Twain and Paulo Coelho. Lexi aspires to be a freelancer for National Geographic. Always pursuing multiple passions, she is currently applying to graduate school for a Masters in archaeology and a Juris doctorate, and yes, she does plan to enroll in both at the same time.