Articles & Advice

True or False: When you head off to college (even a Christian college), you never will experience conflict with people? Yes, that would be a strong False. As long as we live in this sinful fallen world, we will experience conflict and disagreements with classmates, professors, bosses, parents, siblings and others. Sometimes, it seems to happen with those closest to us. As friendships grow, in a strange way, conflict helps deepen relationships. Sometimes conflict tests a relationship to see how deep the roots go.

Do you read your Bible? This might seem like a strange question for someone looking to go to a Christian college, but so many who have left their parents' house also have left their faith in Jesus. They have forgotten where their primary guidance should come from or been distracted. They have stopped reading the Bible on a regular basis.

Did you know the Bible has many tips for dating? Here are a few examples to consider following when pursuing the one you might marry.

In the last article, I challenged you to find a mentor. Let me turn the coin over. Many Christian college students focus all of their time and energy into studying and fulfilling all of their academic requirements without stopping to serve in ministry. Hard to believe? Yes, do your God-given best in the classroom, but do not miss the opportunities to serve at the same time. There are all sorts of places for your to serve including campus ministries and a local church, but Jesus gave us a mandate in Matthew 28:18-20. Many call this the Great Commission, but it is a call to go and make disciples. It is God's purpose for you to invest your life into another…even while you are in college (2 Tim. 2:22). Do not wait until after you graduate to pour your life into another. Go for it today.

It is absolutely critical in college to find someone to mentor you. Mentors come in all shapes and sizes (literally and figuratively). Some are hardcore disciplers who challenge you to memorize Scripture, but others are relaxing and good listeners. Every mentor will be further along than you in his or her life experience and spiritual maturity. Many college students feel when they head off to school they are fully on their own, but I encourage you to stay teachable and find someone you respect spiritually to come alongside of you for a season.

Long ago, the Greek philosopher Aristotle said, “Without friends, no one would choose to live.” I probably do not need to tell you how important friends are in your life. I think the next generation of college students loves and lives for friendships. I believe Aristotle got it right! A friend of mine who is in college said, “A good friend is someone who lets me be vulnerable, but someone who’s also willing to be vulnerable with me. A good friend is someone who prays, listens, cries, challenges and just stays silent, too. He or she seems to know when you’re operating out of hurt and desires to bring you home.” I like that. We all need friends like that.

One relationship that is in the middle of changing during your college years is your connection to your parents. Whether you have traveled far away to college or still are living at home, your communication, boundaries and relationship with your parents naturally will shift. They always will be your parents, but there should be a natural movement toward your parents becoming your friends more than your authority figures. This might feel strange; do not expect your parents to make this transition smoothly. It will be difficult for you and them; but as you become an adult, studying in college, make it a priority to get to know your parents and honor them even more. This is the commandment in the Bible that has a wonderful promise for you (Exod. 20:12).

Welcome back. Let's pick up our conversation on healthy habits at our favorite coffee shop. Do you need a refill? I shared last time the importance of listening more than you speak, having healthy fun, exercising regularly, keeping your moral boundaries in tact and avoiding drugs of all types. Let's continue with a few more habits to develop as you live in the college envoirment.

I want to help you succeed while in college, living the abundant life Jesus called us to live (John 10:10). Grab a cup of coffee, hot cocoa or tea; sit down; and let me share some healthy habits with you--whether you are heading out the door to college for the first time or have been taking classes for some time. These will help you be well-rounded not only in your relationship with Jesus but with people. Let's start the conversation.

Something inside of me had that uneasy, unsafe, "lost that lovin'" feeling. I wanted to go home. I wanted my mommy. I was homesick. It is quite possible you have felt these feelings recently after landing on a college campus. Depending on your relationship with your parents and family, you might have different degrees of homesickness. When you are far away from home, that feeling of safety and love is a deep-seated human need. It is natural to feel this way.