Being a college student is hard work. Between classes, homework, essays, and exams, students have little free time. DeAnn (DeeDee) Jones, a sophomore at Carthage, chooses to balance her academic commitment with an athletic commitment. She is a nursing major, a newer major at Carthage, as well as an athlete on the women’s swim team and the women’s track & field team. Nursing in particular takes a lot of hours outside the classroom, as she needs clinical hours and rotationals in order to complete her degree. While both nursing and sports take up much of DeeDee’s time, she credits her athletics as a positive impact on her college career.
Photo courtesy of DeAnn Jones
1. The Transition
As a freshman, DeeDee found the transition into college a lot easier with the help of her team. “I participated in team bonding before the school year so I already had some friends before arriving on campus in the fall. Knowing that I was part of a team reassured me that I would find friends in this new journey,” says Jones. As an incoming first-year student, many worry about how they will find friends, but Jones took comfort in knowing she would have a girl of groups to hang out with.
So, what does a typical day in the life look like?
“A typical day consists waking up at 5:23 AM for morning practice,” says DeeDee. “Morning practice is from 5:45 to 7:40 a.m. Then I go to breakfast at the Caf with some of my teammates. Then I go to class from 9-12 p.m. I eat lunch after and hurry to class for my 12:30-2:10 p.m. class. After, I do some homework before practice. I go to the second practice of the day from 4-6 p.m. Afterwards, I eat dinner and finish homework. If time remains, I hang out with some friends and head to bed to prepare to do it again tomorrow. Saturdays are usually meet days for the entire day.”
Photo courtesy of DeAnn Jones
2. The opportunities
One of the many opportunities DeeDee is thankful for is that she has had the chance to travel to different colleges and cities across the country to compete, both for swimming and for track. She feels thankful for the friendships and relationships that she has developed with both teammates and coaches. “I have also had the opportunity to grow as a leader and as an individual,” Jones says. As an athlete, there are many opportunities to lead the team both in and out of the pool or on and off the track, and Jones appreciates these opportunities. While she has had to miss out on social events, and live a life with muscle soreness due to her dedication, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Photo courtesy of DeAnn Jones
3. Balancing
DeeDee has found that while she’s in season, she’s more productive. “Having a structured schedule forces me to finish homework and other tasks outside of practice times,” says Jones. “Usually I am pretty tired after practice so I always try to finish all my homework before practice. If I know I’m going to be busy with one of my sports during the week, I work ahead on my homework for the week so I do not have to stay up late or stress about not being able to finish it on time. Out of season I procrastinate more and do not feel as organized.” DeeDee has also found that most professors are understanding when she has to miss class for a meet, and vice versa with her coaches when she has to miss practice for academic reasons.
While being a college athlete is tough, DeeDee has figured out how to manage both and remain dedicated to her sports while getting an education. Catch her killing it in the pool this winter and on the track this spring!
Rep image courtesy of DeAnn Jones