I came from a Catholic private High School and the idea of going to a public university was a little terrifying. I thought that I would be made fun of for my faith, or even worse, somehow lose my faith while being tempted by all the things that go on in college. I was also worried that I would have no resources to help me grow in my faith while being independent in college. I made all these assumptions, but as I end my first year in college, I can honestly say, none of these things actually happened to me. In fact, I would say my faith probably grew even more, since I had to face challenges every day.

While it may seem difficult for young people to stay involved in their Catholic faith while attending a secular school, it is far from impossible.The church offers its support to college students in many ways. Almost all colleges have some form of Catholic campus ministry in the form of a Newman Center or related organization. Joining such organizations is often crucial to a student remaining Catholic. I am currently Vice President of the Catholic Campus Ministry at my university, and it has been such an amazing experience to have such a large leadership role as just a first-year. I have gotten to meet so many other college students who also wish to meet students who love their faith, and they became my second family.

I have found that there are many advantages to being a person of faith in a public university setting. I have gotten to meet people from all faiths and it has opened my eyes to the diversity in our world. At first, there were people who seemed hesitant to be my friend or talk to me because of my faith, but as they realized and got to know who I truly was, they were very open to talking to me. It's hard when there are times when your religion gets a bad reputation. So many people look at Catholics and think they are "anti this" and "anti-that", when really we're much different than what the media makes us seem. I've had some friends who said that they've never met a Catholic who's been so friendly and cool. It's sad to hear that they've not gotten that chance because I can assure that most, if not all, Catholics are actually very loving and welcoming.

If you're in college and you are being made fun of for your faith, ignore it. Don't lose your faith just because it's not the "cool" thing to do. There are so many more opportunities out there to grow in your faith if you just keep an open mind. To those of you who have committed to colleges and are terrified for what's to come, especially with your faith: Do some research! Find out what local churches might be near or on your campus. Keep going to church in college, even when your family might not be "forcing" you to go. Join a religious group if you are religious and meet other students that do the same thing. The people you meet in those sort of groups will help you continue to grow in your faith, not decline. Advocate for yourself and have pride in your faith. Don't think that you're better than others, but don't be ashamed of your faith either. It's definitely a challenge, but it's not impossible and it will help you in the long run. In this world of crisis and tragedy, staying with your faith is crucial to keeping the good and the peace in the world. Regardless of your faith, know your morals and stick to them, because yes, college is about having fun, learning new things and making new friends, but if you don't keep your morals, it can hurt you if you're not careful.