Heart of the Axe: Emma Wintermeyer

I had a knot in my stomach and a lump in my throat.

I knew this was going to be one of the most significant moments of my life.

I was about to start my first year at Acadia University.

I’ve spent the last couple of years at Charles P Allen High School, which is only a few hours away from Acadia. But in a way, it felt like I was moving to the other side of the world. In fact, just two years ago I moved to Canada from South Africa – literally across the world – which brought many of its own challenges.

Halifax brought a whole new environment and life experience.

Now after two years and starting to feel settled, I’d be living in a new town, making new friends, and, of course, joining a new team.

It’s an exciting time, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit nervous.

But I also knew that this was just the beginning of an incredible journey.

And I was determined to make the most of it.

Academics

The transition from high school to university is a big one.

You suddenly have so much more freedom and responsibility.

You’re in a new environment, with new teachers, new classmates, and new expectations.

It can be a bit overwhelming, to be honest.

But I also knew that I was well-prepared for this next chapter in my life.

I’ve always been a good student, and I take my academic responsibilities very seriously.

I knew that I would have to work hard to succeed at the university level.

And I was ready to rise to the challenge.

But, of course, being a student-athlete adds a whole other layer of complexity to the equation.

You have to balance your sport with your studies, and it requires a lot of discipline and time management skills to make it work.

But I’m not afraid of hard work, and I know that I have what it takes to succeed both in the classroom and in the pool.

I’m studying environmental science, which is a field that I’m incredibly passionate about.

Joining the team

I’ve been swimming for as long as I can remember.

It’s been such a big part of my life, and I can’t imagine my life without it.

So, naturally, joining the swim team at Acadia was one of the things I was most looking forward to when I started university.

It’s always a bit nerve-wracking to join a new team.

Will they like me? Will I fit in?

But those fears quickly disappeared when I met my new teammates.

They are such a great group of people, and they welcomed me with open arms from day one.

Our preseason training camp was such an amazing experience. We had so much fun together, and it was great to get to know each other better both in and out of the pool.

I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of this team, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together this season.

Personal growth

They say that you learn the most about yourself when you step out of your comfort zone. And I think that’s definitely true.

Moving away from home and starting university was a big step for me, and it forced me to grow and adapt in ways that I never thought possible.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is the importance of having a positive attitude.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with everything that’s going on, but I’ve found that having a good attitude makes all the difference.

Whether it’s in a tough practice or a challenging class, approaching things with a positive mindset helps me get through it and come out the other side stronger and more resilient.

I’ve also learned a lot about time management and the importance of taking care of myself.

I have a busy schedule, between my practices, classes, and assignments, but I’ve found that if I take care of myself by getting enough sleep, eating well, and staying active, I can handle anything that comes my way.

I’ve grown so much in the short time that I’ve been here, and I know that the lessons I’ve learned will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Motivations

When I look back at the challenges I’ve faced and the obstacles I’ve overcome, I’m reminded of the reasons why I do what I do.

Why I push myself to be the best student and athlete I can be.

It’s not just about winning medals or getting good grades.

It’s about proving to myself that I have what it takes to succeed, no matter how difficult the journey may be.

And it’s about making my family proud and giving back to the people who have supported me every step of the way.

I carry these motivations with me every time I step into the pool or the classroom, and they give me the strength and determination to keep going, even when things get tough.

The impact of my field of study

As an environmental science student, I’m passionate about protecting the planet and preserving its natural resources for future generations.

In a world that’s plagued by climate change and environmental degradation, I believe it’s more important than ever to raise awareness about these critical issues and take action to combat them.

Through my studies, I hope to gain the knowledge and skills needed to make a tangible impact on the world.

From protecting endangered species to advocating for sustainable energy solutions, I can’t wait to make a difference in the world through my career in Environmental Science.

I’m confident that my time at Acadia will shape my future aspirations and goals in countless ways.

A chapter just beginning

As I look ahead to the next few years, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation.

I know that there will be many challenges and obstacles along the way, but I also know that I have what it takes to overcome them.

I’m surrounded by an incredible support system, both in and out of the pool, and I know that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.

My time at Acadia will shape my aspirations and future goals.

And I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me.

The best is truly yet to come.

Heart of the Axe is a weekly feature from the perspective of Axemen and Axewomen student-athletes. It dives deeper into why they decided to attend Acadia, what drives them athletically, how they got started in their sport, the impact Acadia has had on them during their time in Wolfville and much more.