My time at Samford has taught me countless lessons. I will forever be indebted to this wonderful place I get to call home. Samford University challenges me to work hard, get involved and be a leader on campus. I’m tested daily in my classes, relationships and just my everyday walk with friends.
Samford is built on a Christ-like foundation, and we are rooted in values. Samford’s motto, “For God, for learning, forever,” is something Samford students, faculty and staff take pride in. It’s something we all have in common and a bond we will have forever. It is what makes a Samford person, and we are all proud to be associated with this wonderful place.
In my three years living on campus, I’ve experienced joy, love, pain, excitement, heartbreak, exhaustion, satisfaction and success. All of these life-changing experiences happened at Samford, and I am a better person because of them.
Here are just a few life lessons I’ve come to be thankful for at Samford University:
1. Community is important.
Samford University encourages community with others, including peers, faculty and staff, as well as community with Christ. This place has shown me what true community looks like and how important it is to have. I now can’t imagine what my life would look like without community.
2. If you want to succeed, you must work hard.
Nothing in life worth having is free. The determination to work hard has become almost foreign in our society. God desires us to work hard. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
3. It’s OK to be yourself.
I think Greek Life is a great example of how we are all somewhat the same but completely different, too. This is a good thing! God made us all unique in our own identity. We should be who God made us to be and stop trying to fit a certain mold.
4. Live a life to honor Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So, whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
5. Sometimes we must do things required of us even when it’s inconvenient.
Attending convocation, being required to live on campus until the age of 21, attending a “dry campus” are all ultimately things that are meant to make us better, more well-rounded adults when we graduate.
6. Do not be self-serving.
1 Peter 4:10 tells us, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
7. When you can’t find a parking space, life will go on.
OK, so this might just be a Samford thing. Parking is a problem, but it’ll be fine! One parking ticket won’t make or break your college career or stand in the way of nailing your dream job.
8. Don’t underestimate yourself.
Undoubtedly, Samford pushes us to go outside of our comfort zones and discover a side of ourselves we did not know we had. Don’t be afraid to go for it.
9. Dream big!
If you want to move to Europe to work right out of college…go! No one is stopping you from living out your dreams and experiencing life as a young adult.
10. Make relationships and keep them.
The people we meet in this stage of our lives are connections we should use later on in life when needed. These friendships will last a lifetime!
