During your time in college, there are some things each student needs to figure out on their own. Here are a few habits I've found useful illustrated by my freshman year experiences.

1. Make a habit of investing in friendships.

When I first moved into my dorm I did not think that my suite-mate was ever going to talk. She told me her name, but I couldn’t pronounce it, so I just called her “Feta,” like the cheese. It sounded similar enough. I actually wasn’t even sure if she spoke English as she is a tiny, curly-headed girl with almond skin from Jordan (yes, the country Jordan). Her shyness did not stop me. I just starting yelling, “Invest in our friendship!” at her every time she sheepishly sat on the bed nodding at every thing that was said while rest of my roommates and I shared about our days. I can only imagine what she thought of this crazy American screaming at her daily and calling her by the name of a sour cheese, but a whole semester later, I broke her shell. She often runs into my room and tackles me on my bed screaming, “I’m investing in friendship!” I’ve come to love her and cherish all the laughs that we have had together this year. One thing I learned this year is that friendship takes work, but it is worth every effort. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.) Invest in friendship.

2. Make a habit of extending grace.

I was just beginning to do life on my own, which is scary, and for goodness sake’s I had no idea how to turn my white shirt back to white instead of that not-quite-cooked ground beef pinkish color after doing my first load of laundry. Good thing is that it wasn’t just me that was in shambles, and grace is a real thing. About mid-way into my first semester I stumbled upon the verse, “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:16.)

Learning to accept the grace the Lord has given me was a huge step for me to overcome my pride because I was admitting that I do not have it all together and that I am imperfect. It can be really easy to humble your roommate or friend for them when you know they definitely are not perfect after one of those unavoidable bad days. However, grace is abundant and is to be extended to them too.

Extending grace to others can mean being patient with them, letting them cry on your shoulder, or giving them a hug while whispering, “Don’t cry little cow.” The latter of that doesn’t always go over well, and although I find that statement humorously comforting, not everyone likes to be called a cow, even a little one, believe it or not. Be sensitive to others, give grace to others, and give grace to yourself. It’s rewarding to experience how God can work in your life through grace. Extend grace.

3. Make a habit of laughing even when situations are not optimum.

Going to school in Texas means that you have to be prepared for any weather at any time. It may have been bright and sun-shining when I've left my dorm in the morning for my nine o’clock class, but that doesn’t mean it wasn't storming outside when class was over. At least three times this year I caught myself walking across campus in the pouring rain wearing a white shirt.

I recall the first time was extremely embarrassing, for I hugged my arms across my chest and walked furiously back to my dorm avoiding eye contact with the multitudes of attractive boys that grace Baylor’s campus. Feelings of frustration poured down on me every time I heard the crack of thunder and looked down to see if I would soon look like a hunk of Saran-wrapped cellulite walking down the sidewalk. However, one time was different: I simply laughed.

I laughed because it had taken numerous counts of public humiliation for me to still not check the weather or invest in an umbrella for my backpack. My mom always tells me I am hardheaded, and I just chuckled at how true that was. Learning to laugh at unfortunate situations is the most useful trait to have in college. You are given the gift of a new day everyday, so learn to fully appreciate each day you are alive.

There are a lot worse things that could happen besides wearing a see-through shirt while walking around on a very conservative Baptist campus. After all, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24.) Learn to laugh off the minute frustrations and to truly appreciate all the little blessings. Laugh always.

4. Make a habit of learning with the ultimate purpose in mind.

You have a purpose and that purpose is greater than you. Somehow in my first round of college finals I found myself shedding tears onto my Arabic workbook as I attempted to make sense of the squiggly lines called letters and word pronunciations that sounded more like a gagging dog.

I later recounted this story to my fellow classmate minutes before my fate would be determined by the final exam. Unfortunately, my professor had been standing behind me the whole time listening to the story. Her hand was cusped over her mouth in disappointment. From this experience I learned that when we focus so hard on our own performance, we do not see the bigger picture. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24.)

My accomplishments are not for me, but for Christ. He has my ultimate plan in His hands and no matter what path I take, He will still use me for the betterment of His kingdom. Work hard and do it all for the glory of the Lord. Learn with your purpose of being a servant to the Lord in mind and your whole perspective will change. Dare to learn for a greater mission than just keeping your GPA afloat or only remembering curse words in Arabic. Learn for a purpose.

5. Make a habit of listening for God’s voice.

One morning I was lying in bed with my eyes flickering open and closed looking for motivation to be productive until I heard a loud thundering voice shout my name. Frightened, I shot straight up in my bed faster than a student realizing they are late to their final exam.

I swear it was either God or Co-Co, our dorm ghost, because I did not see my roommate anywhere. My eyes jolted back and forth rapidly looking for answer. Unfortunately I concluded that it probably wasn’t God. It must have Co-Co or a figment of my imagination. Listening for God’s voice is not necessarily searching for a booming call to tell you the exact path to take.

It requires spending time with Him everyday and looking to Him and His word for direction. God’s voice is the tender whispers in the middle of the night that sweep over my body with a calming confidence that everything will work out for His glory. Unfortunately, the urge you get to go hang out with friends at 3:00 a.m. instead of getting sleep for your test the next day is probably not God’s voice. Being sensitive to God's voice is imperative when living a college life that is full of life-altering decisions. Listen for His voice.