What is passion? Having a passion or being passionate about something means having a deep sense of adoration for something you do on a day-to-day basis. Whether it’s intellectual, emotional, physical, or creative, your passion tends to stay with you throughout your life. It’s something that drives you, gives you purpose, and brings joy. Whether you’ve already found your passion or are still searching for it, once you do, it will become a part of your life forever, shaping who you are and what you want to achieve.
For the longest time, I thought my passion was playing hockey. I started at the age of 8, and my little sister followed a year later. However, it wasn’t until I was 15 that I realized I wasn’t fully in love with the sport like I used to be. I would often compare my dedication to my sister’s. She lived and breathed hockey—training year-round, playing in multiple leagues, and constantly striving to improve. Her passion was undeniable, and it made me realize that hockey wasn’t the driving force for me anymore.
It was during this time that I found my true passion: reading and writing. I knew this was something I wanted to continue pursuing throughout my time at the University of Ottawa (and for the rest of my life, of course!), which is why I applied to join Her Campus, a club that allows me to write and empower others!
Transitioning to university life, though, was definitely a challenge. I found it difficult to keep up with my passion while adjusting to the new changes in: my environment, my studies, my family life, and my friends. My energy felt divided, and it was hard to balance everything. My desire to stay connected to my passion seemed overwhelming at times, but I knew it was something important to me that I didn’t want to lose. It became clear that finding ways to keep up with what I love would require discipline, time management, and a willingness to prioritize.
During this period of adjustment, I had the chance to interview Alison Domenico, the women’s hockey coach here at uOttawa. Her journey highlighted how passion can be maintained and nurtured even whilst living a busy life. From a young age, Alison knew hockey was more than just a game to her—it was a driving force, her overall passion. She spoke about the moments that solidified her love for the sport and how, despite the challenges of balancing academics and training, she always made time for what she was passionate about.
Alison not only speaks about her own journey but also shares how she helps her players stay connected to their passion for the sport. As a coach, she recognizes that many of her players face similar challenges of balancing their love for hockey with the demands of university life. She encourages them to remember why they started playing in the first place and to find ways to keep their passion alive. Alison works with her players to set realistic goals, maintain open communication, and stay focused on the bigger picture. Through team-building activities and support from her, her players are able to cultivate camaraderie and motivation, making hockey not just a sport, but a way of life.
Alison’s advice resonates deeply with me: maintaining a passion, whether as a student or student-athlete, takes effort, discipline, and a clear understanding of why you love it in the first place. For Alison and her players, hockey is more than a game; it’s a part of their identity and something worth pursuing, no matter the challenges they face. Her story serves as a reminder that when you’re truly passionate about something, you’ll always find a way to keep it in your life. The key is resilience, support, and never losing sight of what excites you, no matter how busy life may get. She inspired me to recognize that, like her, I could find ways to nurture my passion for writing and make it an integral part of my life, even while navigating the challenges of university.