Juggling classes, athletics and even a part-time job is a reality for many student-athletes at Campbellsville University. From the early morning practices, to the evening shifts, and still meeting deadlines on assignments, these students maneuver through a demanding schedule that puts their discipline and time management skills to the test.
Lily Tingle, a sophomore from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, constantly maintains that busy college lifestyle. Tingle is majoring in P-5 education and works part time at Campbellsville Elementary School as a classroom assistant. She currently works with fifth graders in a social studies class. Her favorite part about the job is the relationships she builds with the kids.
“Waving at them at the end of the day or all of them wanting hugs because I’m leaving, I know they want me to be involved in their lives,” Tingle said. “It makes you feel warm inside. It’s so rewarding being able to be a part of their education.”
Tingle is also a member of the CU Marching Band. She plays the flute, and she’s also a part of the Band Leadership Council (BLC) and a uniform officer, who makes sure all uniforms are folded and put away correctly after performances. Tingle is a part of the flute ensemble where she plays regular concert flute, alto, bass and contrabass flute, and she also performs with the concert band. Tingle has a lot of responsibilities on her hands, and she makes time for all of it.
“My biggest thing is being intentional about all the things that I do and the time I make for work and school and music and faith,” she said. “I learned a lot my freshman year to say no to things and to not overwork myself by knowing my limits. So, when it came time to schedule my classes and work schedule, I had to be intentional about what can I handle, and can I make sure I have time for the things I need.”
Tingle says she likes the busy life. While band is her top priority this time of year, Tingle said meeting deadlines for assignments isn’t an issue. She can recharge each day by making time for the Lord and ensuring she gets a lot of sleep.
“Here at Campbellsville, I want to be remembered as somebody who helped others along the way in faith or anything at all,” said Tingle. “It’s so important that we’re all there for one another where we can build each other up. It matters most to me that if I can just help one person, that’s all that matters.”
Tingle says the busy schedules will eventually help her in the future to balance her life and everything she gets involved in.
While there are still athletes who are yet to be in season, that doesn’t necessarily mean they have a lot of free time. Korine Talkington, a sophomore from Savannah, Georgia, is a member of the flag football team. Talkington is an education major wanting to teach high school health and P.E. She says her former teachers and coaches are what made her want to teach.
“It’s good to see other teachers in real school settings instead of just learning about it in the classroom,” Talkington said. “It just gives you a better understanding of what they go through, especially in P.E.”
Talkington is the starting quarterback on the team. She also works part time at Subway, where she is a team leader. Talkington says the best way to balance everything is to know her schedule and to plan around it. If she works on the weekends, then she will make sure to get her homework done before then.
“My coaches are really good about helping me manage my time,” Talkington said. “They give us a schedule and stick to it because they know we have things going on outside of our sport, along with professors who are very understanding.”
Between her job, memorizing flag football plays, and hitting the books, Talkington says her biggest support system is her family and teammates who constantly push her to keep going. With the busy weeks, Talkington is still able to maintain a social life outside of sports and class. She encourages others to get involved in the community of Campbellsville, whether it be a job or work study on campus.
“I would say start your first semester before jumping into a hectic schedule,” Talkington said. “If you think you can handle it, do it. That’s what I had to do because I wasn’t sure if I could handle everything I’m involved in now, but once you find your groove, it makes life a lot easier.”
Although many student athletes can balance the busy schedule, some choose to lean more to one side. Nigel Nerese, a junior from Boston, Massachusetts, is a prime example. Nerese is majoring in nursing full-time and is also a Certified Nursing Assistant at Grandview Nursing Home. As a CNA, Nerese is required to work 20 hours a week but will work in some of his free time.
“I usually have about an hour to myself to avoid burnouts and give myself a break,” Nerese said. “I use that time to watch a movie or be with my friends who understand my busy work schedule. I recharge by reminding myself why I do what I do and focus on what I want out of life and work for it.”
Nerese was also a part of the football team during his freshman and sophomore years. He said his coaches were very lenient towards his other responsibilities for work or class because he was always communicating with coaching staff. Eventually, Nerese had to choose one over the other.
“I just wasn’t going to be able to give my all with nursing,” Nerese said. “So, I chose what’s really more important to me and that’s my future in nursing. But maybe football will see me again.”
Nerese also has a second job being a Resident’s Assistant (RA) on campus. His job is to conduct weekly inspections at his assigned dorms in the Men’s Village and let them know if they are staying organized, if they need to clean up more and put things away, or if they need any cleaning supplies. Even though it may not sound like a lot, sometimes, he can still find himself choosing his RA job over studying.
“My teachers are there for me when I need help and moral support and will schedule meetings with me if I don’t understand something so that I’m not studying 24/7,” Nerese said. “I think CU does a great job with that, especially in the nursing program because they want their students to be successful, so they help out in any way they can.”
Nerese encourages freshman and anyone new to Campbellsville to apply for a work study or part-time position on campus.
“It’s a great way to venture out and meet great people that become friends,” Nerese said. “The people who help run the jobs are very helpful, push me in the classroom and it gives me a better work ethic for now and the future.”
