The 40 days of Lent are meant to be a time of renewal and reflection. In college, it can be difficult to break away from our day-to-day routine to look inward and reflect on what we're doing well and what we could be doing better. Everyone has heard of the basic Lent ideas, giving up chocolate, giving up meat, etc. but what about some non-traditional Lent ideas that could be beneficial to college students? Here are a few ideas.

Things To Give Up

1. Give up swearing

This one can be extremely difficult for some people. You can take it one step farther by tallying how many times you swear per day and at the end of the 40 days, donate that amount in dollars to a charity of your choice.

2. Give up going out to eat

College students go out to eat multiple times per week and spend hundreds of dollars per semester on restaurants. Think of how much money you would save if you gave up eating out for just 40 days.

3. Give up using your car

Things To Add

1. Add a daily prayer into your morning schedule

Finding time to pray can be one of the most difficult things for college students. Make a commitment during Lent to wake up 30 minutes earlier every morning so you have time to talk to God.

2. Add a daily run into your daily schedule

The only thing college students have less time for than prayer is exercise. Commit to a daily run for the next 40 days. Bonus points if you pray while you run.

3. Eat a salad every day

Adding a little discomfort into your life can be tricky, but very beneficial. If you feel like you aren't eating enough vegetables in college, make it a point to eat a salad every day during Lent. When you feel uncomfortable eating it, that's a good time to offer it up to God.

4. Call your mom every day

This is a good thing for you and for her! Chances are you probably aren't talking to her enough and she misses you!

5. Add a Bible study into your weekly schedule

Dig into God's word in the next 40 days and commit to reading the Bible daily. You can find great Bible studies to follow on the Bible app and on a number of different websites.

Lent is a beautiful season to reset your mind and heart and reprioritize your schedule. There are so many awesome things you can do for Lent that will benefit your faith life! What will you be doing for Lent in 2018?