The Environmental Football Geek

Ah college! The place where work load is every student's enemy. Students would complain here and there with the amount of work they have to do. Tests here and there, essays everywhere, these are a few of the things that you would always see in a college student's life. However, should student's really be complaining about the work that they have? Is it really the work or is it just the way of being able to balance everything that makes college life so stressful? According to a young lady from Ateneo,“It all comes down to three things. Setting your priorities straight, knowing your roles and responsibilities, and know why you're doing what you're doing.” The name of this young lady is Camille Rodriguez, he team captain of the Ateneo Women's Football team.

(c) Cam Rodriguz

Camille Rodriguez has been playing Football since she was grade 5 (10 years old). She started playing football because of her family's influence. When asked why she chose this sport, this was the answer that she gave, “I guess I was inclined to, one way or another, because I was born into a football family. My father, uncles, and brother are all football players.”

According to the football captain when asked about the usual training training day, she would wake up at 4:30 am on good days and leave for school by 5:05 am to comortably make it to her 5:30 am call time. On a typical day, however, she wakes up at 4:50-5:00 am and not have the luxury of time. She

would rush to get dressed and grab some food before heading to training. This is why she always make it a point to fix her things for school the night before because she sleep in at times. “Time is never a luxury. I always have to be mindful of my time.” she says.

(c) Cam Rodriguez

The AWFT (Ateneo Women's Football Team) striker is a woman or lady of action. She explains how she will lead the team this season to victory by leading through example. She lives by the quote "Make your actions speak so loud your words can't be heard." She explains this confidently saying “I give my best to inspire others to do their best.” She makes sure that in every game or training, she puts her best foot forward to avoid wasting time. Cathy Cabrera, her teammate explains to us that, “Her ability to lead is undoubtedly effective because the things she say make sense and is inspiring. She is a servant-leader. She does not only command the team; she also serves the team.” According to her, Cam makes sure that she is deserving of her role as the captain by working the hardest in the team. It is very clear that her hardwork is fruitful since she is the most consistent and most skillful in the team.

Even though Cam is very busy with football, she still has time to join an organization. In fact she is an Executive Board member for the Ateneo Environmental Science Society. The Ateneo environmental Science Society is an organization in Ateneo where they focus on the proper care of our environment. According to her joining an organization allows her to immerse herself in the advocacy she believe in, contribute to it, and learn from the people who believe in the same thing that she does. Cam just really wants to do a lot of things in life.

(c) Cam Rodriguez

According to her teammate and co-member of the ES (Environmental Science) org, Mica Corrales, “She shows her passion for ES by being really active in her org and by encouraging the team to participate in the org's activities.” she adds that “ She handles the external activities of the org. ES is mostly an outdoor org which means that almost all the projects are outside campus.” This means that by being extra active with the organization's activities, Cam shows how important the environment is for her.

Even with her role as a captain, Cam still manages to do everything that is need from her as an Executive Board member of ES. She explains that, “Juggling 2 positions is all about setting priorities and allocating your time and efforts well.” Again time management and priorities would be seen in Cam's work.

In an interview with Cam's coach, Robert “Bob” Manlulo, he says that “I'm amazed how Cam can balance everything. Mukha pa nga siyang hindi nahihirapan”. Coach Bob explains that Cam can balance everything with ease. She gets to do her tasks completely. He also adds that “Her ability to inspire everyone in the team to work harder is one of the outstanding things that she can do.” Not only does she lead the team but she also inspires them to do better and accomplish more.

With the busy schedule that Cam has, she still manages to maintain high grades. Even though athletes are only required to get a QPI of 1.80-2.00, she exerts MAGIS by getting a yearly QPI of 3.1. She uses the time in between her classes to do the simple takss required of her. If she has nothing to do, she makes sure she gets to take power naps since a tired body and mind wouldn't really be able to produce much. She also makes sure that all the studying are done by 10 pm since rest for a student-athlete is very important.

Camille Rodriguez still manages to spend time with her family in friends. YES this girl can really do it all, With all her work as a football player, org member and most especially a student, Cam still gets the time to play with her little sisters and go out with her friends. For her, her family and friends give her the extra push she needs but more than that, she gets a much needed breather when spending time with them. According to her “I don't like appearing busy to them because I also want to show them that despite my commitments, I should never forget to make time to the things and people that matter.”

(c) Cam Rodriguez

Time management, priorities, and knowing your role really are the most important things you need to survive college. People can clearly see that it is not impossible for a college student to accomplish his or her tasks. Being able to do these three things as set example by Camille Rodriguez, can even help you to do other things like joining a sport or organizations.