As we enter the first few weeks of our college semesters, even the simple tasks can be daunting. Many college freshmen will take one look at the amount of work they have for the first week of the semester, and they will drop out. You may be intimidated by your roommate, the idea of living on your own, or even those massive syllabi; but God has your back. Below are some Bible verses to encourage you when times are tough.

1. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans that I have towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

This verse is one of the most common verses for encouragement used in the world today; many people don’t recall, however, that in the verses before this verse, God tells the Israelites that he is going to place them in captivity for seventy years, and when that period is completed, he will remove them from captivity and return them safely to Jerusalem.

2. Isaiah 52:12 “For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rearward”.

No matter what you venture to do, God will protect you. Nothing will ever happen to you that isn’t a part of His plan. He will go before you and he will guard your back.

3. Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

Whenever we feel down, we need to remember that we are made by a God that wants us to become like him.

4. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever”.

Everything around us changes almost every second of every day, but our savior is immutable.

5. Philippians 4:7 “and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”

6. Philippians 4:19 “but my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”.

7. Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you, be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

8. Psalms 25:1-5 “O you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you, I wait all the day long."

8. Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

9. Mark 12:29-30 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

10. Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

11. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

12. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

13. Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

14. Isaiah 40:30-31 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

15. 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

16. Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

17. Titus 2:7-8 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

18. Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

19. Philippians 3:14 “…press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”