They say that college is the best time of your life.
As I am two months away from finishing my sophomore year of college, I would say that this is absolutely true! With new experiences, freedom, friends, and independence, you can have a great time in college.
The only thing is that college can be very difficult as well. You're learning how to become independent, discovering who you are, and figuring out what you want to do with your life. It can be stressful and difficult, so it's important to continue to walk with the Lord throughout your college years.
The first thing that I would suggest doing in walking with the Lord in college is to choose Him. This may sound obvious, but it is so easy for so many students that enter college to lose their faith, throw it away, or get distracted with the things of this world. As you figure out what you're going to do in this world, you can bet that there will be times when you question your faith or are faced with challenges. You'll face temptations that come along with the freedom of being a college student, but if you press into Him, you will be able to overcome them.
1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
God is constantly protecting us and wants only the best for us, so it is important for us to press into and strengthen our relationship with Him. If we do so, we'll be able to see the escape route He has planned out for us when we are being tempted and will be able to overcome.
Also, make sure that instead of fitting your schedule around your relationship with the Lord that you make Him number one in your life. It can be so easy to feel like you don't have time to study His Word because you're spending so much time studying everything else, but know that with some accountability, determination, and discipline it can be done.
It's important that you surround yourself with the right kind of people so that they can pour into your life and hold you accountable for making Him your top priority.
When discovering the right kind of people to be around, you should find friends that share the same values as you. Whether it be loyalty, success, grace, or integrity, whatever characteristics that you value, seek people that display them. After all, like attracts like.
Another helpful suggestion is to try finding a mentor that can pour into your life with sound advice, help strengthen your relationship with the Lord, and challenge you to grow in Him.
That's one of the first things that I searched for after I transferred to a new school this past year. I knew that would be the most beneficial thing for me, and it has proved to be true. It makes life so much easier when you have someone with wisdom and experience pouring into your life and helping shape you into the person you want to become.
Another suggestion when making sure you have the right people in your life: when looking for someone to date, don't fall into the trap of casually dating. I'm not saying that you need to find someone who is ready to get down on one knee right then and there, but make sure that they have qualities that you can see in your future spouse. After all, if you can't see yourself marrying them, then why would you be with them in the first place?
In addition to this, you need to make sure that you are in a healthy place spiritually. Be secure in your relationship with the Lord and know your worth is in Him instead of trying to find your worth in another person. Along with many other people, I have made this mistake before. It's such an easy thing to do, so if you can avoid it, you can save yourself a lot of hurt and disappointment.
Finally, get plugged into either a Christian organization, bible study, or a church. Community is such an important part of Christianity. It's important to know that when we do make mistakes, face trials, or succumb to temptations, that we're not alone. Having a community that will pick you back up and cheer you on when you fall down is so important. Also, when studying the Word with other people, it provides more than one perspective and opens your mind to new ways of looking at verses.
Max Lucado, a Christian author and pastor says this about community, "When you interlock your understanding with mine, and we share our discoveries, when we mix, mingle, confess and pray, Christ speaks."
Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
All in all, college is so much fun, but with these tips, they can make your experience that much more easy and fun.
I hope that this encourages you to continue and strengthen your walk with the Lord in college.
