RUSTON, La. - Kristen Miles' day starts before 7 a.m. every morning as the senior outfielder rises out of bed prepared for another day of classes. At best, her day won't end until 18 hours later, but that is all in a day's work for the Plano native.

Miles is about to enter her final quarter at Louisiana Tech, pursuing a bachelors in biology with a minor in chemistry. Miles' impending graduation is no small feat, as she will have taken a total of 42 hours over her final three quarters in Ruston. 42 hours in nine months? Don't forget she's a Division I softball player as well.

Dedication is the best word to describe Miles' attitude towards her schoolwork and the softball field. "You would be really surprised what you are willing to give up, when you know what you want to do," Miles said. "I know this is what I want to do and I don't see myself anywhere else. I don't have a hard time giving up other things to make myself study."

Her dedicated study habits have landed her more than a few accolades, including the Presidents Honor List following the fall quarter. This past summer, Miles' was awarded the Conference USA Spirit of Service Award, for her dedication not only in the classroom but the community as well.

After spending nearly the entire day hopping from classrooms to lab, Miles' heads to the Lady Techster Softball Complex where she has become a staple in left field over the past four years for Louisiana Tech. Following practice and a quick dinner, Miles' dives into the books for a minimum of six hours, but she always has one teammate by her side for extra motivation.

Junior catcher Natalie Moran has a similar schedule to Miles' and the two have become the perfect study team. On long road trips while other teammates may be catching some shuteye, Moran and Miles are knee-deep in their notes.

"I'll definitely have less time, but Natalie and I are in the same boat since she is pre-med," Miles said. "While everyone is sleeping on the bus, we stay awake and always sit next to each other to keep each other up. On sleeper busses we do not ever fold our beds out; we sit at the table and study. Every break we get, we just knock out something. It is just so miserable if you wait until the last second."

The two make constant trips to Starbucks to refuel on caffeine before their next task at hand.

"She has a great work ethic," Moran said. "We try our best to keep each other accountable and not procrastinate, so we get ahead and review every day after class. Her work ethic, even with softball, is going to help her in the long run with pharmacy school. She already has to deal with that hectic schedule; it will be an easier adjustment than a non-athlete."

Teammates have taken notice of the grueling study habits, including sophomore shortstop Katie Smith. "I tell her that she's crazy and the biggest nerd I have ever met," Smith said. "It is crazy how dedicated she is. I just mess with her about it."

While some may see the lack of time as a disadvantage, Miles may disagree.

"Your attention starts to go elsewhere when you have more time," Miles said. "You can say 'Oh, I can put this off for a few days and go to the pool with team.' Now I just say 'Nope, I don't have time.' [The team] knows before they ask me to do anything that the answer is going to be no."

It is never easy though and everyone has a breaking point. While Miles has reached hers on numerous occasions, family is always there to keep her standing.

"My dad helps push me through it, he always has words of motivation," Miles said. "My brother always says 'I could not imagine doing what you are doing, but keep pushing you are almost done.'"

The next stop for Miles is pharmacy school. Although she has not decided on a school, she knows her future is in the hospital sector.

"I always knew I wanted to do something in the medical field, but the sight of bones and blood grosses me out," Miles said laughing. "Surgery was never going to be for me. That is why I picked pharmacy it is not so gory."

Miles still has one final run with the Lady Techsters. While the senior has started in 130 in games in her career and has certainly left her mark on the program on the field, Miles will be a figure for coaches to point to for years to come, as the model student-athlete.