WHO SAID sports and academics can’t mix?
Lady Spikers Maria Loren Josephine Lantin, a freshman student of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, and Jessy Laine De Leon, a third year Dean’s lister from the College of Architecture, have proven that student-athletes could actually excel in both fields.
If there were a secret to juggling undergraduate studies, sports and eventually pursuing her childhood dream of becoming a doctor, for Lantin, it’s time management.
“I really wanted to become a doctor when I was younger while at the same time, I love playing volleyball. So I asked myself, why not do them both?” the BS Biology graduate said.
“There were people who had doubts if I could balance both, but through my mom and dad’s motivation, coach’s words of encouragement and my faith in God, I was able to do what I once thought I couldn’t.”
The 22-year-old setter said things got doubly hard for her since she entered Medicine, but she just keeps going.
“I always don’t have time, but if you’re really determined about something, you’ll find a way to do it because every second counts when you want to balance academics and extra-curricular activities,” Lantin said.
“Sometimes I get only two to three hours of sleep then go straight to class during the day and practice with the team at night, but I always tell myself that I can do it.”
De Leon shares almost the same sentiments, only for her, her parents were once against her being a volleyball player.
“My parents didn’t allow me to play volleyball because I was skinny, but they eventually supported me since I really love the sport,” she said.
The 18-year-old middle attacker admitted feeling pressured to maintain her good academic and athletic status, especially this season wherein the Lady Spikers are expected to redeem themselves from last year’s fifth-place finish.
“We’re pressured but in a way that we need to meet our goal of winning another championship, so we’re driven,” De Leon said. “In my course, all of us Architecture students are pressured in finishing our plates since time is really our enemy.”
Besides volleyball, De Leon’s dream of becoming a model also keeps her motivated.
“I also dream of becoming a model, but I’ll first focus on becoming a licensed Architect after graduation because my primary goal is to help my parents,” she said.
“But if I can manage to enter the professional volleyball league and also become a model, it would be better. There’s nothing impossible if you just study hard, pray to God, maintain your willingness to achieve something and the heart to love everything you’re doing.”
