Dr. Wallace: I’m a pretty good student, but I dislike physical education because I’m uncoordinated and overweight. I go to a private school, and I’m going into the 12th grade. For the past three years, physical education was optional, so I opted not to take it. This coming year, our new school superintendent has made physical education a required course. I don’t think this is right. I go to school to learn about math, science, writing and reading, not to learn how to hit a ball and run.

I went to our family doctor and asked if he would give me a medical excuse so I wouldn’t have to take PE. He wouldn’t give it to me because he said I needed to exercise. What alternative do I have left to stop me from spending an hour getting sweaty at school? My mother will write a note saying that she does not want me to take PE, but only a doctor’s excuse will save me. Help! — Phillip, Richmond, Ohio

Phillip: You don’t have to be coordinated to benefit from physical education. Do your very best to enjoy and learn in your PE classes. What you learn can and will help you the rest of your life.

I happen to believe that physical education should be a required course in all high schools.

Dr. Wallace: Matt and I had dated for over a year, but I got tired of him, so we stopped seeing each other. The breakup happened about three months ago. I’ve been with several guys since then, but none of them were what I was looking for, and, after giving it a lot of thought, I came to realize that I really cared for Matt. I know he was upset and disappointed the night I informed him I had lost the spark I once had for him. I have not talked with him since.

Last night, I called him and told him I made a mistake and would like to see him again. I thought he would be overjoyed, but to my surprise, he said he didn’t want to see me. I asked if he was seeing someone else, and he said no. Deep down I know Matt has feelings for me. He had even told me he loved me and wanted to marry me. I don’t understand how he could want me to be his future wife and three months later tell me to get lost. What should I do? — Ashley, Manchester, N.H.

Ashley: When you told Matt that you had lost the spark, you put out his fire. He’s no longer interested in you. That’s just how it goes sometimes. If you’re hurt, you have an inkling of how Matt felt when you broke up with him.

It’s time to move on with your life. That shouldn’t be so hard, since you seem to have no problem getting dates. Continue dating until that spark returns. And maybe next time, don’t be so quick to break up with the guy.

Dr. Wallace: My two best friends at school think that a hickey is a positive status symbol. I don’t! Walking around looking like you had a hot date with Count Dracula isn’t my idea of being popular. I know what causes them, but I don’t know exactly what they are. Can you explain? — Patty, San Diego, Calif.

Patty: A hickey is actually a bruise caused by broken blood vessels. You can always use the excuse that you ran into a door if you have a black eye, but there are no excuses to cover up the reason you have a hickey on your neck.

P.S. A hickey is not a status symbol.

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Dr. Wallace welcomes questions from readers.He will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@galesburg.net.

SCrt 2013, Creators Syndicate Inc.