KASSY Doering’s biggest challenge in her one-and-done stint with the University of the Philippines isn’t necessarily one she’s dealing with on the taraflex.
In fact, even as a math and science-inclined academic achiever, the Fil-American middle blocker had to trudge through the tricky path of taking classes that aren’t her cup of tea.
“The only thing that's challenging is every foreign student when they arrive (in UP), they are automatically put in as physical education majors,” Doering, who had already earned a degree from back at the California State University San Marcos, told SPIN.ph.
“For me, I’m more of a math and science person, so when I'm taking courses like creative writing or those things, my brain doesn't go towards that route. It’s more like the mathematical route.
A major in both applied physics and applied electronics in her undergraduate years in the U.S., Doering considers such an academic transition as one of the many multi-faceted challenges that is simply part of life in State U.
“Ever since elementary school, I even got a certificate for being a math whiz. (When it comes to) things about math, it just makes perfect sense to me and it's really concrete. There's no ifs, ands, or butsl it's just two plus two is four and it's not going to be five or six,” Doering said.
“With that, being a student-athlete does have its difficulties. The times that we should be studying, we're training. Then, we're tired after the training, but you still have to study and you still need your sleep.
Going on UPcat
And in a university that carries the reputation of being one of the country’s most academically-competitive institutions, Doering and her six-foot stature have had to stand unfazed, as she continues to lift herself and the Fighting Maroons up in her first and only UAAP season.
“It's an honor (to be in UP). I try to remember how blessed I am to be able to come into UP the way that I did. I always hear about the scary exams coming in and how difficult it is there,” she said.
“The fact that I was able to come in through a different path because of volleyball, I really give credit to every classmate that I have and the hard work that they put in to get into that school and that I'm able to be there with them.”
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