College can be hard. Whether you are going to school out of state or nine minutes away, you will be forced to live more independently. During my first year of college, I had days where I felt depressed and homesick. Honestly, I don't know what I would've done sometimes if I didn't have such a close relationship with my Savior. I sought God once college started, and now I am the closest I have ever been to Him. I have found these six ways of communicating with God to be effective, and I recommend them for anyone who wants to have a strong relationship with Him in college.

1. Save an hour a day for quiet time.

There is a reason why this one is first on the list. Spending an hour with God everyday will change the way you view the world and Him. All it takes is an hour a day of soaking into His word, watching a sermon, or simply praying and worshiping. I find that mornings are the best time for me, and coffee is always part of this time for me, which I highly recommend. You will see your relationship with God get stronger everyday, and your day will automatically feel better.

2. Join the ministry group or a small group at your school.

Having a community of believers will help you personally grow with God. Get connected. Almost every school has a Christian organization or small group that you can check out. I have found that having bible studies with small groups of friends is also life-changing! These groups can also link you to Missions, if God is telling you to serve in that way.

3. Seek more Christian friends.

Having even one friend who shares your belief and passion to follow His word will make a huge difference. I grew up with only a couple of Christian friends, and it was hard on me because I felt like they did not always understand why I was so passionate. But in college I met a bunch of fellow Christians, and they influenced me to become a better person and get closer to God.

4. Pray, pray, then pray again.

I can't stress it enough. I know it is hard to pray. It can be difficult to know what to say to God, but always talk to Him like you would a friend. He already knows what is on your heart and mind, but He still wants to hear it all! Prayer will get you through the long, sleep-deprived weeks, and will help you feel motivated to live for Him.

5. Show His love to others and obey His word.

In the bible, we are constantly told to treat everybody with love. Even if they do things you don't believe in, or they annoy you and everyone else. God says to love like He does. If you live life the way He did, you will ultimately feel happier, and God will feel closer to your heart than you ever thought possible. Before giving in to temptations or hanging out with the wrong crowd, think about the Bible and the sacrifices He has made for you.

6. Listen to worship music everyday.

This step is not crucial, but it will change your day. I found that listening to worship first thing in the morning will boost my mood for the entire day. And if music is important to you, this way will definitely help you see God's love firsthand. If you need a recommendation, I have been obsessed with Hillsong United's album, "Wonder."

No matter how close you are to God right now, a lot can happen in college. As a believer, you cannot put your relationship with Him on the back burner. There is a lot you can do to get closer to God in college, but these were just a few! These can still be applied to those that aren't in college too, don't forget.