So you’re headed to college, huh? That’s an exciting time. There’s lots of things you’ll learn quickly, like:
- After you meet your roommates, you’ll realize why they told you to bring shower shoes.
- The “Freshmen 15″ is not a myth. Give those cuties you met at orientation a 16-week wait to see what 3 lbs. of chicken fingers a day will do.
- Your room does not clean itself. At home I have this thing that sweeps up, does laundry, and eliminates all messes automatically. I called it Mom. Turns out they don’t sell it at Wal-Mart.
- You want to be ambitious your first semester and wake up early and pick early classes. That lasts all of…one semester.
- That thing you were good at in high school? There’s about 3,700 people majoring in it who are better at it than you.
- You thought being 10 hours away from home wouldn’t be too bad until you watch your parents leave to make the trip home without you.
You’re going to be exposed to new faces, unfamiliar places, fresh ideas—yet it’s easy to get caught just following the crowd. College is tough sometimes. It can be a very lonely place, especially for a Christian. Several recent studies show that about 70% of Christian freshmen heading off to a secular college fall away from their faith in less than 16 weeks! They probably thought they had everything under control. But with new temptations, antagonistic professors, and unexpected peer pressures, they became just another statistic.
We believe you were made for something bigger than that. We want you to experience God in ways you never imagined. We don’t want you to just survive college; we want you to thrive. You have an opportunity to make a difference that will last for eternity.
Let me give you my top 3 tips for making sure college is a great experience for you:
1. Connect with a BASIC group or other Christian club IN THE FIRST WEEK
If you grew up going to youth group, you’re used to hanging out with other Christians weekly. You might think to yourself, “It’s not that big a deal. We play stupid games half the time!” But you’re wrong. It is a HUGE deal. Meeting and spending time with other Christians provides a sense of connection and accountability you won’t find at other clubs or events. Because you will probably start off not knowing anyone at campus, it is easy to fall into the “regular” college life and start partying just to make friends. You’ll do things you never planned to do to fit in. Seek out the right kind of friends. I can’t emphasize this enough!
Going to a BASIC group will also provide a sense of purpose and mission while at college. It is easy to just get focused on yourself: YOUR schedule, YOUR homework, YOUR social life. But remember there are thousands of people around you who need to know what you know, that Jesus still changes lives today.
2. Get to know Jesus for yourself
It’s pretty easy to follow Jesus because it’s convenient back home. It helps you get along with Mom & Dad, and dinner after church is always fun. But Mom & Dad won’t be watching any more, and you may even get razzed for following Christ. You’ll be exposed to people with completely different backgrounds who view things entirely different than you. You will be challenged and forced to think through why you believe what you believe—possibly for the first time in your life. By being a member of your local BASIC group, attending church on Sundays, and spending your own time with the Lord, you’ll have a chance to make sure your relationship with God is your own.
3. Prioritize your time
With dozens of clubs to get involved with, homework, video games, sports, and more, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. So what’s gonna go? Oftentimes, reading the Bible or going to church is the first on the chopping block. Don’t fall for this! Make those things your priority. Learn to say “NO” to some things.
I know for me, I put God second in my life behind school during part of my time at the Rochester Institute of Technology. I wanted to get good grades, so I don’t think I hardly cracked open my Bible for about 8 weeks. After feeling worn down and frustrated, I realized my priorities were all out of whack. I repented and got things straightened out, knowing my grades would get worse. But a funny thing happened; somehow my grades got better! Strange things happened where I got bonus points from who knows where. It just reminds me of a verse in Matthew 6, “But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” Keep God the center of your life, and college will be way smoother.
Hope this helps you as you start this journey! I can’t wait to meet you at the next BASIC conference.
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