Opinion:
Faith and College: a challenge or a breeze?

by Aimee Gutshall, posted Nov. 30, 2009

Faith and College. Does this seem like a weird combination? To most college students it probably does. I have always wondered how students transition from high school and parental control to moving to college. Does this transition change their daily faith and belief in God?

“Students arrive at college with one of three levels of faith,” said Lance Tamerius, director of the Christian Campus House. “Some come with a family faith, meaning their faith consist of what their family believed. Some also come with a church faith and consequently, claim as belief of what their church believed. Both are good for a time, but because they are extrinsic by nature, a disconnect ensues when the individual is separated from their source of faith.”

I grew up in a Christian home. I was raised to attend church every Sunday and holidays.  It was a time of fellowship, friends, and family. My family prayed before our meals and our household was always a positive Christian environment. Not only was I raised to be faithful, but to also live my life accordingly. I was raised to not let temptations hinder my walk with God.

This was my life when I lived in Trenton, Mo. with my family. I am now a sophomore at the University of Missouri. Has this lifestyle changed? I am no hypocrite. I still attend church at the Crossing and live my life accordingly not giving in to all the temptations of college. But could I do better? Of course, who couldn’t do better?

I have always been strong in my faith because I have had examples at home showing me: my parents and my extended family. I have grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins that show me through their walk of faith that no matter what situation or whether your at college or not, that God tests me but to remain strong in him.

"It's definitely a challenge keeping your faith in college,” said Chelsea Woodard, interdisciplinary studies major. “I believe the key is fellowship- surrounding yourself with those that encourage you when you are struggling. Help your friends stay on the right path and they will do the same for you. My sister once told me to imagine what life would be like without God. When I think about that, it reminds me that nothing I ever do is too much for Him to handle. Simply focus on making him the center of your heart and everything you do."

College is hard. Students are alone, and it is a time to find out who they really are. They have no parents telling them what to do or how to live their life.  It’s up to them to decide who they are going to be.

“The goal of student ministries is to promote and foster a personal relationship with God; that is the transition that must take when one leaves home, regardless of whether or not college is the destination,” said Lance Tamerius. “The specific challenge that college presents is that the allure of the world will never look better than it does during college, as people observe and choose lifestyles that are still relatively free from the scars that will come later. Likewise, faith must transition from belief only to practice prompted by belief, in order to survive and even thrive.”

Psalm 147:11 TEV, “God takes pleasure in those who honor Him; in those who trust in His constant love.”

“College students are people at the starting line of adulthood,” said Alex Peterson, agricultural economics senior.  “As a result, most college students are open-minded and receptive to just about any set of ideas.  I think that it is healthy for a college student to question what he or she believes.  1 Thessalonians 5:21 says ‘Test everything.  Hold on to the good.’ Unfortunately, instead of testing the faith that they were raised with many students simply rebel against their faith and parents. When students start choosing what they believe in and what they want to be apart of, a faith in Christ will either be embraced as it has never been before or it will be set aside to make room for alternatives.”

Over the past few weeks, I have taken it upon myself to start conversations, asking college students for their opinions on faith in college. I didn’t just start these conversations with people who I know are strong in there faith; I also spoke with students whose religious beliefs I did not know.

Their answers surprised me. They all agreed how hard it is but how important it is at the same time. Many of them talked about how they grew up attending church each week, but at college they are always busy, or wanting to sleep in, or simply just do not feel like they have too because no one is forcing them. They said that college is an eye-opening experience because they are exposed to many new things during their transition from a small town to MU. By the end of it, I think everyone, including myself, had taken a step back and evaluated the way we live our lives.

“Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul,” 1 Peter 2:11 The Message.

I see college as an opportunity. An opportunity to find myself but by looking in the right places. Not losing sight of who you were or are. College does not have to be hard or lonely because God is always going to be there quietly guiding you. He is guiding you toward his love so that you may follow him and live your life according to his word.

“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.” Deuteronomy 7:9.

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