Faith is a huge part of who I am, and without God by my side I would not have been able to make it through college. Regardless of if you are a believer or not.. spirituality is a huge part of many people’s lives that allows other to find a deeper purpose. Whatever faith or spirituality you identify with… you can follow these tips to remain grounded throughout your time in college. Remember no matter who you are or what you have done… Jesus loves you! There is a divine purpose and plan for your life.
Keep reading to learn tips and strategies for staying grounded in your faith admit the chaos of college:
Tips from a Christian College Girl:
Establish a Routine: Routines can help you make time for the things that matter most in your life. Set aside time each day, in the quietness of the morning… to pray, meditate, and read the Word. As mentioned in the Bible… Jesus went away to the quiet place to spend time with his Father Every. Single. Day. Without fail! The Proverbs 31 woman woke up early to prepare for the day ahead. (Proverbs 31:15) You do not need to spend hours or take up your entire morning spending it with God (Unless you want to!) It could be 5, 15, or 50 minutes. Regardless of how long it takes, or how it is done, the intentionality behind it is what matters most.
Seek Out Faith Based Communties (Or Start One!): A lot of colleges have several faith-based clubs, events, and activities. Seek them out and join them. Or, if there is nothing on your campus that aligns with the faith you practice.. start one! Go to your local student center to figure out the steps it takes to start a club or to host a bible study. Find others who identify with the same faith and work on establishing a club or study together. (For a guide on how to start and plan a college bible study: Subscribe to my email list!)
Create (or find) a Prayer Space: This seems to be a new trend in the Christian community… several Christian women I follow create prayer rooms, prayer closets, or just a prayer corner/space in their room. I think this is an incredible idea. Again, its like Jesus going away to the quiet place. With dorm life this may be difficult.. but if you can I highly recommend turning a corner of your room into your prayer space. That way, whenever you look at it.. you will be reminded to pray or spend time with God. Make this space, cute, cozy, and desirable. Have a diffuser, light some candles, bring your favorite fluffy blanket…maybe even some floor pillows (if you want to mediate), fairy lights, and more. Create a space you WANT to spend time in. If this isn’t possible…go to your universities spiritual resource center, chapel, or rent a private room in the library you can go to when you just need to “get away and pray.”
Seek out a Spiritual Mentor: Having a mentor or spiritual advisor of some sort is a game changer. They can hold you accountable, provide wisdom and encouragement, and help you navigate faith. Seek out someone who can answer any spiritual questions you may have and help you stay connected to your goals. Consider going to your spiritual resource center, or talking to your school Chaplain if it is available to you. If it’s not… seek out others with the same beliefs as you, join groups on campus, or even on social media. Find a church (or attend one online) where you can find good Christian influences and mentors that help you along on your faith journey.
Set Boundaries: I know… this one seems odd. I just recently read Lysa Terkeurst’s book Good Boundaries and Goodbyes. (It was such a good read… I highly recommend!) Not only did I learn so much about myself and the relationships in my life, but I also learned a TON about boundaries. Boundaries are not a bad thing, they are actually a good thing. Or like Lysa says “a God thing.” Many temptations and difficult situations could arise in your time at college. Set boundaries to ensure you can maintain your spiritual health and avoid compromising your values. I’m not here to tell you what you can and cannot do as someone who practices faith, just be mindful of the decisions you make and do them purely because you want to and believe it is not compromising your faith or beliefs.. not because you are pressured into it. To purchase Lysa Terkerust’s Book Click Here:
Practice the Sabbath: This is something I actually just started to implement after reading John Mark Comer’s Book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry (another amazing read!) He outlined the importance of Sabbath and what it looks like for him. He mentioned how in the craziness of his daily life he finds himself longing for the Sabbath. After the Sabbath comes and goes, he now has the strength to continue on and start his week off stronger since he is well rested and in close communion with God. The Sabbath is a day of the week where you don’t have to work, stress, or tend to all the intense demands of daily life. God worked for six days and rested on the seventh… what makes us think we shouldn’t (or can’t) do the same? However, I do not believe the Sabbath has to be done on a specific day. It could be any day of the week. Or, if you can’t have an entire day.. set aside an evening or a morning (baby steps!) Take time to rest, spend time in the Word, eat good food, worship, and pray. Whatever relaxation looks for you.. just do that. To purchase John Mark Comer’s Book Click Here:
Go to Church: This one may be self-explanatory. However, as a college student I have found it extremely hard to find a church and consistently go every Sunday. Whatever way you decide is best for you, find a way to have church at least once a week. This could be at your campus chapel (if they host services), in your room (by tuning in online to your favorite church), or even with a group of believers. Remember wherever two or more are gathered, the Father is there.(Matthew 18:20) The church is not a building… it is the people.
Share your Faith: You can do this anywhere, at any time. Don’t shy away from sharing your faith (don’t push it onto others) but love like Jesus would! This can be shown through conversations, actions, or involvement on campus. It can provide meaningful discussions that make a difference in the lives of others, while helping you grow deeper in your faith.
Stay Open to Growth: College is a time filled with personal growth and discovery. Be open to pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, and learning more about your faith and how it applies to your new experiences. Let this be a season of deeper understanding and transformation!
Conclusion
Being a believer in college requires a lot of intentionality and balance… and it is extremely difficult. By seeking community, maintaining spiritual practices, and living out your values, you can stay true to your faith while simultaneously navigating the college experience. Remember Psalm 46:1, 2 Corinthian 12:9, and Philippians 4:13 ♡
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