The landscape on a college campus today is challenging to all young people. Take thousands of young men and women, remove parental oversight, and put them into an environment with lots of alcohol, partying, and free time and you get one cluster mess.
Many will go to college and cast off all restraints. But will they find fulfillment, satisfaction, and a greater foundation for the challenges that stand before them post graduation? When I was a freshmen, the question I was wrestling with is where will I find life? I went to the bars (only needed to be 19 to get in), but I didn’t drink. And there’s something unique about watching inebriated people interact when you’re sober (try it). What you’ll find is this: that’s not where life is.
At the time, I wasn’t a Christ follower. But I was on search to find life. And eventually I found Someone who opened my eyes to what life is all about. And that someone is Jesus. I believe your college and young adults years are some of the most important years of your life! These are the days when you’re wrestling through what your life is going to be all about. These are the years where your life’s foundation will mature and it will be on this foundation that you will build your marriage and family! These are potentially the best days of your life. So what are some things to consider as you are approaching moving onto campus? I’ve got x ideas for you to think about.
- Get connected with a church on campus.
I got connected with a church when I was in school and it changed my life. I learned about the gospel message and what it might look like to develop a Biblical worldview and I am still being positively impacted over two decades later. Find a faith community where you can soar in your faith.
- Spend time building relationships.
We live in a world where good relational skills are rare. And yet when you go and interview with a company post college, people are looking high and low for employees with relational skills. Some of the greatest career development that will happen on campus will come from you building relationships with people. So spend time building good relationships. Learn how to take an interest in what other people are interested in.
- Become a learner.
Many will disagree with me about this comment, but I encourage people to go to class. And don’t just go to class, become a person who wants to learn. Learn how to think. Work hard to become someone who is hungry to learn. Become a reader. Read for pleasure and read books that will help you grow in your faith and as a thinker.
- Learn how to manage your time.
When I was a freshmen, my pastor encouraged us to look at our week as if we were working 40 hours. If we studied and went to class between 8 and 5, 5 days a week, we would have plenty of time to hang out and do fun stuff. And sure enough it worked!
- Engage in the mission of God.
The college campus is still probably one of the most strategic centers of influence in the world. Students are still hungry for the spiritual, but don’t know who they can talk to about questions that they have. Be open about your faith with others. Learn to ask good questions. Learn to dialogue with others about faith matters.
Your college years can be some of the most impactful years of your life, but navigating this time can be challenging. My encouragement to you is to be very intentional about your faith and pursue a community as soon as you get to campus! Many Christians that I talk to post graduation wish they hadn’t squandered their college experience. Jump in with us or another campus ministry or church on campus and prepare for one of the greatest adventures in life!