There is almost nothing more nerve wracking like the new school year being right around the corner. And with every fall semester come the freshman, beginning their new lives for the next 4 years. As I look back on my college years now that I am graduating, I have had a number of thoughts on what I would have re-done, avoided, or done better during my time here at Biola. Before I graduate, I would to dedicate this article to the incoming freshman of this upcoming fall semester of 2016. Whether you are entering into a public or private, secular or Christian, I hope that this post will help give you some thoughts.

1. Not everyone is a Christian at your Christian college

For those entering into a Christian university, this may come as a shock, but there are large number of students at Christian Universities who are not Christians, whatever the reason may be. For some, it may be because their parents forced them to go to a Christian college. For others, it could be that they are struggling in their faith due to past experiences or the questioning of their beliefs. Before entering college, my parents made it very clear to me that not everyone was a believer and they were right. I came across students who I knew were not believers and that were putting a mask to blend in with the rest of the student body. But do not see this as something to get angry about because you honestly do not know their reasons or their life story. Rather than ignoring or being a mere acquaintance, befriend them and get to know who they are and why they believe what they believe. You never know what will come out of it, maybe you’ll change their life. And if somehow you do not, then hopefully you’ve made a great friend in the process.

2. Think more about what you want to major in.

As I said previously, this is not just for Christians. Unless you are solely set on what it is you want to major in, really consider deeply what field you want to step into. I walked into Biola as a journalism major, having my whole life planned out, all the way to graduate school and beyond and what happened? God tore my plan apart, and for good reason. Now I am a Communication Studies Major, emphasizing in Rhetoric & Interpersonal. If I would have known how much I was gifted in the area of communication back then, college life would have been a different story. Whether you are undeclared or testing the waters of a department, take a good amount of time thinking about what you really enjoy doing, what it is you want to do with your life, and how you could see yourself there. You might change your mind in the future as I did. Better to graduate late with a degree you love than to graduate with a degree you regret.

3. Not everyone in your Student Orientation Group is your friend.

Student Orientation weeks can honestly be a hit or miss for students depending on the people in their group, who their orientation leader is, and who they are as a person. Do not get the idea that everyone in your group or everyone you come to meet is your friend. I connected very well with some of the people I was with and within the next week after orientation, we went our separate ways hardly ever talked again. It may sound sad or negative, but at least you will come to know who your real friends are. I did not have any close friends until second semester, but it was worth the wait. I am not saying do not try and make friends, but do not expect a friendship out of everyone that you come into contact with.

4. Be wise in the people you befriend.

While we certainly make friends during our first year, it may not last and this can become devastating for some. A friend that I had in freshman year transferred a year later with little to no warning and since, I have not talked to them. While that was devastating, I have also made some of the best friends any guy could ask for in college. I met my friend Taylor in my Biblical Interpretation/Spiritual Formation course during freshman year and if it had not been for us taking that course together, I would not have had the strong friendship I have with him now. These past three years, we both grew a lot and were able to be part of each other's lives throughout Biola as we get ready to graduate together. Please be wise in the people you befriended and do not worry if you don't make close friends right away or within the first year.

5. Chapel & Biblical Course do not equal church.

I have heard this every beginning semester from the school president and speakers during chapel and I will repeat what they said, chapel and your biblical courses are NOT your church.Yes, there is spirituality and growing involved in both these areas, but don’t let college itself be your only way to connect with God. As you begin to make friends, try and find a local church to get involved with and build connections and relationships. It will benefit you, both socially and spiritually, more than you think. And do not try and go to a college where you know most of your friends will be at. Challenge yourself and branch out to the community around you.

6. Be wise with your assignments & free-time.

This was one of the most difficult things that I had to deal with when entering college. During high school, you had a strict schedule of classes, lunch breaks, and when certain assignments were due. With college, each professors varies in regards to assignments and how long/how many times you meet a week. Especially when it comes to that one class you have once a week, getting lazy in your work is a huge temptation. Sure, take breaks when you can. Go hang out with friends, take a weekend trip away from college, but do not lose focus on your work. Remember, your money (or your parent’s) is being put into those classes, so make the most of it.

7. Get out of your comfort zone & try new things.

You will be very surprised when it comes to trying new things, big or small. As I previously said, get out of the college bubble and go explore the cities and sites around you. Because I am a commuter student, I always enjoy taking Biola friends to new places they have never been, whether it is downtown LA, the comic book store, Disneyland, and even my house (my mom is really gifted in hospitality). Who knows, that new hobby you enjoy doing may become a new inspiration as to what you could do with your life.

8. Put dating off for a for the first semester or two.

I get it, you are meeting guys/girls that are truly amazing. They are attractive, great in personality, and actually have life goals they are pursuing. Now, it is not a bad thing to develop feelings for someone, you are human. But I will greatly encourage you to resist pursuing them and trying to be “more than friends.” This one is more of a personal opinion due to the fact that relationships vary for everyone. Do not spend your first year looking for “the one” but also, keep your options open with the people you come in contact and make friends with. Be friends first, build up your relationships and focus on school as well as having fun. Wait until at least the second semester or second school year to begin thinking about this but always keep your options open. It is a difficult balance I know, but hey, you never know when you will meet that person. Maybe even during the first semester, you might.

9. Keep track of your finances

Around this time is when students get their first debit and credit card and it can get pretty tempting to spend throughout the week, especially on food and coffee. It is much easier to swipe your card than to pay in cold, hard cash. My advice, set up a financial plan with your parents or your friend who is good with money and plan out how much you spend and what to save up for. Before senior year, my spending was off the charts. Now that I set up a payment plan with my mom, I have a reason to not overspend unless an emergency. If I had done this in my freshman year, life would have been less stressful.

10. Go to summer school

I think we can all agree that no one wants to go to summer school. Regardless of how you feel about it though, you may be thanking yourself in future when you realize how many credits you knocked out in a short period of time and how much money you saved by attending a community college. Get your PE classes complete in a few weeks or that general ed class that just isn’t worth the thousands of dollars at your university.

11. Consider studying abroad

You would be very surprised of how much you can accomplish by studying abroad, both academically for fun. I cannot honestly say that I have had experience in this but a number of my friends have and greatly encourage it for everyone. It is not everyday you get to study what you love in DC Capitol, Europe, or Japan. Think of all the site seeing you will be able to accomplish and the memories you will make. Sure, it is a bit more expensive but it is definitely worth it.

12. Trust in the Lord

Though it sounds cliche, it is also very truthful. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” – Proverbs 3:5-6. Continue to follow the Lord during your time in college. Life will get stressful, friends will be lost, breakups will happen, finances will be a burden, and existential crisis’ may occur. That is all more the reason to be close to God and to be strong in Him. I say this due to my experience: When your spiritual life is not strong, other things in life begin to fall apart. Grades drop rapidly, you begin to hate your job, you distance yourself from others, your spending goes out of control, and much more. When you are spiritually strong, you have more of a drive and a focus in life. I am not saying that everything will go your way when you trust in God, but when the life gets rough or something unexpected happens, you will be prepared and ready for it. When times get hard, pray and praise God and when times get easy, pray and praise God.

And so with that, young freshmen, I hope and pray that you have a great college experience and that you trust in the Lord in where ever He guides you. Think there is anything I left out? Have any questions? Leave a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Oh, one last piece of advice: Coffee is your best friend during those last minute papers you decide to put off. Just saying.