Nervous About Going To College.

[wingsoflove]

I am nervous, I'll admit. I'm going to be 20 in about a month's time, but I am going back to college sometime this year. The reason why I didn't go when I was 18 was because I felt like I wasn't really ready and didn't knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life... At times, I still feel like this.

I'm nervous because the one career concentration that I'll excel in, NONE of bible colleges I know has it, only traditional colleges have it. I am nervous because I'll be going back out into the non-Christian world and have to face many immoral and non-believing folks that might belittle me and my faith in God. I know that many traditional colleges/universities have Christian groups, but I just feel like... It's not enough, you know? One small group against an ENTIRE student body who doesn't believe in God is a bit of a stretch, if you ask me.

I have two problems... One, I'm nervous and I wish I can stop feeling nervous, and second, I don't know EXACTLY what I want to do with the rest of my life. I just need some advice... Thank you.

 

[Nomarga]

I am nervous, I'll admit. I'm going to be 20 in about a month's time, but I am going back to college sometime this year. The reason why I didn't go when I was 18 was because I felt like I wasn't really ready and didn't knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life... At times, I still feel like this.

I'm nervous because the one career concentration that I'll excel in, NONE of bible colleges I know has it, only traditional colleges have it. I am nervous because I'll be going back out into the non-Christian world and have to face many immoral and non-believing folks that might belittle me and my faith in God. I know that many traditional colleges/universities have Christian groups, but I just feel like... It's not enough, you know? One small group against an ENTIRE student body who doesn't believe in God is a bit of a stretch, if you ask me.

I have two problems... One, I'm nervous and I wish I can stop feeling nervous, and second, I don't know EXACTLY what I want to do with the rest of my life. I just need some advice... Thank you.

If you're really worried about the immoral horde, try living off-campus. Totally different experience from living in the dorms.

Also, universities are there to make you think, not to comfortably cater to your beliefs. A belief unchallenged is not a belief worth having IMO.

As far as not knowing exactly what to do, the vast majority of us don't claim to. It's a long, winding road and you just ride it out until you reach the end... don't sweat the details.

 

[wingsoflove]

If you're really worried about the immoral horde, try living off-campus. Totally different experience from living in the dorms.

Also, universities are there to make you think, not to comfortably cater to your beliefs. A belief unchallenged is not a belief worth having IMO.

As far as not knowing exactly what to do, the vast majority of us don't claim to. It's a long, winding road and you just ride it out until you reach the end... don't sweat the details.

I don't plan to live in the dorm rooms... I just don't want to be near people who live in an unholy way, unholy as in getting into drugs, drinking, having premarital sex with anything that has legs, etc. I used to live in an unholy way, and you know what? I was miserable.

I see that you're an Atheist... I don't know, maybe it's just me, but you guys really should let us Christians believe in what we want to believe, even if it doesn't make sense to you. Me becoming a Christian/Anglican makes me happy and whole, something I haven't felt in years.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings, I appreciate your two cents. God bless.

 

[Mrs. Luther073082]

Jesus hung out around sinners (prostitutes, etc). The world is full of non-Christians. We're called to go out among them and "make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" . We're not called to live in a bubble and not deal with the world. Get out there and be an example in how you live and how you treat other people, and maybe you will draw others to Christ and they can stop being miserable like you once were.

 

[SRTera]

What is ur major/career you want to excel in?

 

[kelc09]

If you're going to wait until you find a perfect little community to live in and get an education, you'll never find it. Even bible colleges are filled with unbelievers and immoral actions. You have to learn to live your life among these people without conforming to their actions. You need to trust that God will help you through and His Spirit will be with you every step of the way. That is what we are called to do.

Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

You will need to find a group of good Christians that will help strengthen you in your walk, but the most important thing is to trust and follow God.

 

[Beminde]

Not all non-believers are drug/alcohol/sex addicts. And not all christians (or so called...) live holy lives. I think that's something to realize, there's no need to be scared. Stay close to God and be kind to people. It'll all work out. I was and still am nervous for my first days (college/work/whatever), just because it's new and you have no idea what it'll be like. But after only a few days you're used to it.

About the what you want to do with the rest of your life part (something I struggle with, too), I found this piece helpful:

“Often we want to be able to see into the future. We say, “How will next year be for me? Where will I be five or ten years from now?” There are no answers to these questions. Mostly we have just enough light to see the next step: what we have to do in the coming hour, or the following day. The art of living is to enjoy what we can see and not complain about what remains in the dark. When we are able to take the next step with trust that we will have enough light for the step that follows, we can walk through life with joy and be surprised at how far we go. Let’s rejoice in the little light we carry and not ask for the great beam that would take all shadows away.”

(Source: Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey)

I think it's not that bad if you don't know what you want with the rest of your life. No one knows how our future will be like. You don't have to stick with the choice of study you make today the rest of your life.

 

[Fatally.Yours]

You'd never cope in England, we don't have Bible colleges here.
But you should stop worrying, sooner or later you're going to come into contact with non-Christians whether at college or work. We don't bite you know.

 

[TheApostleJohn]

I go to a secular college, and I'd say the only big adjustment would be hearing tons of profanity, if you're not used to it. People don't just lay around having sex in public, it won't affect you at all unless it's something with a roomate, but you can correct that by getting your own room or a roomate you know. Same with drinking. Unless you're in a bar at 2 AM people aren't just going to be walking around wasted. And Christians aren't "against" the non-Christians on campus. Most of the people I now spend time with are non-Christians. They need to have Christian friends who set an example, and don't judge them constantly, or else they'll never change their views.

 

[Detroit313]

I've been to both Christian and secular colleges. Although I believe it was the school and not Christian colleges as a whole, I found the Christian college to be more judging of people who are different than the secular. I remember sitting at lunch one day and a girl walked by who was different than most and someone actually said "I thought we didn't let people like her in here". There were problems with racist and homophobic incidents on campus also. Like I said, I'm not saying that that happens at all, or even the majority of Christian colleges, but it does show that discrimination takes place at all types of places.

Really, from my experience, if you don't actively involve yourself in "unholy" lifestyles, then you won't experience it. Aside from the occasional evolution and age of the Earth debate, my fellow students rarely, if ever, bring up my religion. I go to school with a lot of Muslim students in fact, and even then its mostly a live and let live attitude when it comes to religion. Its not hard finding a group of Christian friends on campus who share your ideas and lifestyle. If you stick to your principles, you shouldn't have any problems at all. I have 3 roommates right now, one of whom is Muslim, one who dabbles in the Eastern religions (he's from China) and an ardent atheist. I haven't had a single problem concerning my faith or lifestyle. There hasn't been any drinking/drugs/sex. I'm not saying it doesn't happen at college by any means, because it does, but if you don't go looking for it for the most part its not a problem. The experience you'll have in college will be what you make of it, and it shouldn't be a problem living a Christian lifestyle while attending a secular University. I've also never heard of non-christians being "against" christians. Most students are there simply for an education, just like you. At least thats been my experience.

Also, when I started I had no idea what I wanted to do, most students don't really know what they want to do. I changed my major 5 or 6 times, but it didn't really hurt me, I had to take some summer classes to stay caught up but it worked out. Give college a chance, go in with an open mind, and you'll have a great time!

 

[Keturah Nikole]

I am nervous, I'll admit. I'm going to be 20 in about a month's time, but I am going back to college sometime this year. The reason why I didn't go when I was 18 was because I felt like I wasn't really ready and didn't knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life... At times, I still feel like this.

I'm nervous because the one career concentration that I'll excel in, NONE of bible colleges I know has it, only traditional colleges have it. I am nervous because I'll be going back out into the non-Christian world and have to face many immoral and non-believing folks that might belittle me and my faith in God. I know that many traditional colleges/universities have Christian groups, but I just feel like... It's not enough, you know? One small group against an ENTIRE student body who doesn't believe in God is a bit of a stretch, if you ask me.

I have two problems... One, I'm nervous and I wish I can stop feeling nervous, and second, I don't know EXACTLY what I want to do with the rest of my life. I just need some advice... Thank you.

What career concentration is it that you wish to pursue?
I know that it's hard to step out into a non-Christian environment at times, but also, if Christians never set foot around unbelievers, how are they going to hear the gospel? Personally, I do attend a Bible College, but my brother(who is also a Christian) and some of my friends attend major secular colleges. They have been able to live godly life styles around their friends and just live their lives for Christ. It's hard, and yes most secular colleges have Christian circles. My advice on finding those is to visit the administration office and as about them and if they could help to connect you with someone from one of those circles. I know that when I visited a secular college when looking for somewhere to attend college, I was talking to the administration representative and mentioned wanting to find a church in the area, and he mentioned that he himself is a Christian and attended a church in the area, along with many of the students and he would be happy to introduce me to them if I attended that college.
I did not go to that college, obviously, but it was nice to know that there were other Christians who were openly attending church and meeting together.
I don't believe that even one small group is too small, or a bit of a stretch against a whole campus student body. We need to be in a position to share the gospel wherever. The apostles were just one small group of men who started out in one centralized area of the world and set out in even smaller groups to share the gospel with the world. If they had had the attitude of 'one small group of guys against a whole big group of people is a bit too much of a stretch' where would we be today? JMO

 

[coconut711]

Ok, jumping in (and I know I'm late :o) sorry, but I really want to give my input.

Use this time to really grow closer to God and show your faith. Also, you dont have to have everything planned out. God will show you one door at a time. People (like me!) get so caught up in planning out what exactly we're going to do with our lives, but we need to seek God's guidance one day at a time. His will for you today may not be something extravagant. He might just want you to read His word and go to church, but that is a door. Once you go through that door, He'll show you another one. It just takes one door at a time. So dont worry too much about planning everything!!

 

[heron]

Great advice above. Did you decide on a school since the OP? (Ten post...hm...)

you dont have to have everything planned out. God will show you one door at a time.

So true. Try to set your mind to dive into the drastic change, as an adventure. School puts you in a new setting, with new people and different expectations -- very little of your life stays the same. Whatever you can do to retain part of yourself will help. Bring your favorite slippers and coffee mug even if they don't fit in the suitcases.

try living off-campus.

Great advice. Or commute to a community college where no one lives on campus.

Not all non-believers are drug/alcohol/sex addicts. And not all christians (or so called...) live holy lives. I think that's something to realize, there's no need to be scared. Stay close to God and be kind to people. It'll all work out. I was and still am nervous for my first days (college/work/whatever), just because it's new and you have no idea what it'll be like. But after only a few days you're used to it.... The art of living is to enjoy what we can see and not complain about what remains in the dark.

(-: Genius.

 

[Dan4Jesus]

Live off campus, get yourself involved with a good church, go to Bible studies, and learn more about why you believe what you believe to strengthen your core as a believer. You get exposed to alot more stuff living on campus than off campus. That would be what I would do.

 

[Jupiter Drops]

I am nervous, I'll admit. I'm going to be 20 in about a month's time, but I am going back to college sometime this year. The reason why I didn't go when I was 18 was because I felt like I wasn't really ready and didn't knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life... At times, I still feel like this.

I'm nervous because the one career concentration that I'll excel in, NONE of bible colleges I know has it, only traditional colleges have it. I am nervous because I'll be going back out into the non-Christian world and have to face many immoral and non-believing folks that might belittle me and my faith in God. I know that many traditional colleges/universities have Christian groups, but I just feel like... It's not enough, you know? One small group against an ENTIRE student body who doesn't believe in God is a bit of a stretch, if you ask me.

I have two problems... One, I'm nervous and I wish I can stop feeling nervous, and second, I don't know EXACTLY what I want to do with the rest of my life. I just need some advice... Thank you.

You know, there are only about 33% claimed Christians in this whole entire world full of 7 billion people. The rest are non-believers. And in that 33%, there are only about a handful of people who are true believers.

God told us to go out there and tell the world. Shout to the world is more like it. And don't worry, don't be nervous, because our Father will always be there with you no matter what. You'll always be taken into His loving arms and be his precious child.

I was in the same situation as you were, but I wish I knew a few things like this. Get someone to pray with you, or pray for you. And pray earnestly about your faith and nervousness. Don't let that nervousness get in the way, and pray that God will always hold your hand no matter what road you go through. God will always be there in the good and bad times, so be cheerful, feel honored, and happy because you're His chosen child. You're a saint.

I've been to a college where there was only small amount of Christians. There were many extreme cases where people expressed their hatred towards Jesus or apathy towards knowing God's grace. Or by ignorance, there were people who claimed to be interested in Christianity once but became disillusioned by it through their lifestyle (e.g. drinking, abortion, boyfriend issues, etc). Either way, love them as Jesus would but also always be wise as Jesus was. Ask for God's wisdom and He will give you many hardships on the way to chisel you down and make you stronger.

Be strong and courageous, as God told you. Be strong.

 

[balesom]

I am nervous, I'll admit. I'm going to be 20 in about a month's time, but I am going back to college sometime this year. The reason why I didn't go when I was 18 was because I felt like I wasn't really ready and didn't knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life... At times, I still feel like this.

I'm nervous because the one career concentration that I'll excel in, NONE of bible colleges I know has it, only traditional colleges have it. I am nervous because I'll be going back out into the non-Christian world and have to face many immoral and non-believing folks that might belittle me and my faith in God. I know that many traditional colleges/universities have Christian groups, but I just feel like... It's not enough, you know? One small group against an ENTIRE student body who doesn't believe in God is a bit of a stretch, if you ask me.

I have two problems... One, I'm nervous and I wish I can stop feeling nervous, and second, I don't know EXACTLY what I want to do with the rest of my life. I just need some advice... Thank you.

I went to a traditional university, and it had a surprising amount of faithful Christians living on campus. There were several Christian groups and churches around the campus. It was quite interesting, and definitely not what I was used to. The difference between my first college and this one was night and day.

As for being nervous, I'd say just go for it. You never know until you try, it could turn out a lot better than you think it will. And as for not knowing what you want to do, it's okay, there's a lot of people like that. I'm actually a substitute teacher right now, applying for grad schools in the Fall so I can go back and get a masters. I just recently realized my career goal, as a psychological counselor.