secular schools

[tck1987]

Next fall I'm going to be going to Cornell University as a freshman. It wasn't easy for me to decide which college to go to since I saw a lot of benefits of going to a Christian college. But I felt God was leading me here for a lot of reasons.

My question was, for anyone of you that goes to a secular school, do you feel a lot of preassure on you to do things you don't agree with? How do you handle this? I know I can do all things with God, and I'm not scared of drifting away from Christ, I'm more nervous with feeling isolation, and missunderstood from anyone.

 

[Manda_24]

Next fall I'm going to be going to Cornell University as a freshman. It wasn't easy for me to decide which college to go to since I saw a lot of benefits of going to a Christian college. But I felt God was leading me here for a lot of reasons.

A lot of my friends go to a Christian college and they love it, many of them don't think the could handle the atmosphere of a secular college.

My question was, for anyone of you that goes to a secular school, do you feel a lot of preassure on you to do things you don't agree with? How do you handle this?

I go to Purdue University which is a secular college but I don't feel any pressure to do anything I don't agree with. My room mate does things, drinking, partying, sleeping with her boyfriend, that I don't agree with but I don't get involed so it's not really a problem.
I found a really great church down here that does so many things together. In a few hours I am going to a formal dinner with them and a few weeks ago we had a Spring Retreat. They have a college group for Sunday School then we go into the regular service, so basically the same as I did in High School. They hold Bible Studies, Prayer and Praise Nights and so many other things.

I know I can do all things with God, and I'm not scared of drifting away from Christ, I'm more nervous with feeling isolation, and missunderstood from anyone.

I'm just wondering what you mean by that. Are saying that by going to a Christian College you will feel isolated and missunderstood or is that if you would go to a secular college?

 

[Blank123]

hey

I'll be in the same boat as you in a few years heh, after Bible school I know I've been called to go to a secular school.

Now I've never heard of the school you're planning on attending so I don't know how bad it is in terms of secularism or parties etc... but listen, if God has called you to a secular school then there is obviously a good reason for it, and He knows that you will hold strong to your faith. He is not going to give you any more than you can handle.

As far as feeling left out, most secular colleges have christian clubs on campus, I would suggest that you look to join one of those when you get to school and start fellowshipping right away with other christians.

I hope I've helped a little.

 

[Willtor]

I went to RPI, as an undergrad, and now I'm at RIT, as a grad. Both are "secular" schools. I've worked very hard not to be hostile towards "Christian" schools, but I think you're doing well to go to a secular one. I'll explain:

How Christian is a Christian school? It draws Christians out of the world and away from people who don't know Christ. It discourages you from exploring alternative perspectives (besides your own and that of the school, itself) from their sources.

Of course, I can't speak from experience, and I may be way off base. But I can't believe Christ wants us to isolate ourselves. I share an apartment with a Muslim and a Buddhist. I go to class with people who are Hindu, Atheist, culturally-Christian, Skeptical, Seeking, and a host of others.

You'll find an Intervarsity chapter, or a Campus Crusade chapter, or BASIC, or something. And you'll find a Church. You won't be the lone Christian on campus. More than that, a non-Christian school prepares you for a world which is typically non-Christian.

If you like Cornell anywhere near as much as I liked RPI, you'll do okay. Don't worry. Christ is present on secular campuses.

 

[PuppyforChrist]

I'll say this much, I know a girl in my English class who is going to Cornell in the fall too and she is really excited about it. I've heard it's a really good school, and it's hard to get into so congrats on that.

I'm going to be attending a secular college myself in the fall. Most of the Christian colleges I've seen do not have very good programs when it comes to the major I want to purse, and I don't want to go outside of my state. The college I chose was affordable, and had a pretty friendly atmosphere.

Also, like the others have been saying, I'm sure Cornell has some type of religious and/or Christian clubs or organizations. The one at my college I plan to join is called Prodestant Campus Ministries. Their might be more than one religious club at Cornell, so you need to pick which one seems good for you.

Try looking on Cornell's website and maybe e-mailing the Pastors of the different campus churches, or do some research on the clubs.

Like Willtor said, Christ is present on secular campuses. Christ is everywhere. I don't think secular colleges are too much different than religious ones.

Check out Cornell's website and see what's there. And don't be afriad to e-mail someone from the campus churches or the admissions offices and ask questions.

 

[tck1987]

I'm just wondering what you mean by that. Are saying that by going to a Christian College you will feel isolated and missunderstood or is that if you would go to a secular college?

What I meant was that I'm not worried in the sense that going to Cornell will make me turn away from God. There seem to be quite a few Christians that don't have a true personal and growing relationship with Christ, so when faced with oposition they "loose" faith. I'm not worried about this because growing up with no Christian friends I've had my faith challenged almost daily and I know what I believe and why (but don't missunderstand me, if it weren't for God's help I could never keep going). So what I meant was that I was a little scared that my years at college would be a repetition of High School, a lot of presure from everyone and no one that really understood me (except maybe my parents).

 

[tck1987]

Thank you for all your advice and encouragement. I know that I'll find God at Cornell and people that love Him, but sometimes I let my worries get the best of me. Thanks a lot.

 

[Manda_24]

What I meant was that I'm not worried in the sense that going to Cornell will make me turn away from God. There seem to be quite a few Christians that don't have a true personal and growing relationship with Christ, so when faced with oposition they "loose" faith. I'm not worried about this because growing up with no Christian friends I've had my faith challenged almost daily and I know what I believe and why (but don't missunderstand me, if it weren't for God's help I could never keep going). So what I meant was that I was a little scared that my years at college would be a repetition of High School, a lot of presure from everyone and no one that really understood me (except maybe my parents).

I think your faith can/will be tested at any school, secular or Christian. I know there are people that would be lost if they went to a secular college, a few of my friends that go to Moody wouldn't know what to do here for a while I'm sure. It is just something you have to get used to in a way, I'm not saying to fit in with the crowd, definitely don't do that, but you just have to be more aware that on a secular campus there will be more people and events that can test your faith. I grew up going to a public elementary, middle, and high school and I believe that my faith is stronger because of it, there were more events that prepared me for college.

Some people are just supposed to go to a Christian College, so if that is where God wants you that's where you go. I'm sure once you get to Cornell you will meet many new people and that way you will have Christian friends, I know I did here. It's a wonderful opportunity to be able to go to a Christian College.

 

[Matt.9:22]

I go to a secular school and while things happen that I don't agree with, there is no pressure for me to participate. Every one is kind of like live and let live. Plus the local churches cater to us by sending vans to pick up those of us that don't have cars, and midweek services on campus and sunday night dinners for us.

 

[Manda_24]

I go to a secular school and while things happen that I don't agree with, there is no pressure for me to participate. Every one is kind of like live and let live. Plus the local churches cater to us by sending vans to pick up those of us that don't have cars, and midweek services on campus and sunday night dinners for us.

My church does that for us too, at least everyone that lives in the dorms. It is really nice. There are a few chruchs on campus that are good but I'm really glad that I get the opportunity to be in a actual church, I guess you could say. We have the opportunity also to become what they call a Watch-Care Member, you can become a member of the church and still keep your membership at your home church as long as it is of like faith. This way we can be involved in the ministries in the chuch, working with kids, choir, etc. that I wouldn't be able to do at a campus church.

 

[alldogsDONOTgotoheaven]

I go to a secular school and while things happen that I don't agree with, there is no pressure for me to participate. Every one is kind of like live and let live.

I find the same sort of attitude. I think you'll find more open-minded people and probably less peer-pressure in college (although I was homeschooled so I can't say if it's less than high school). It's easier to ignore people who are still in the whole high school mindset because there's usually more people at a univeristy/college than high school (although some private schools or community colleges are small) and you don't usually have all your classes with the same people (except sometimes when you get to your major). Just find a good Christian group at your school and try to find a church nearby and you should have a nice support system to help you if you do encounter difficulties.
I never even considered a christian or private school because none of them had my major and if I went to an in-state puplic university I had full tuition scholarship. I don't mind the large public univeristy setting...although sometimes it can be overwhelming to be in large classes and just see so many people around.
Good luck with college!

 

[lanajean1126]

I don't like the University I am at for the very same reason you are worried about. I feel as if I'm constantly surrounded by people always talking about partying. I feel like the morals of the kids on campus really stink. Although I do have a few grounded friends, they still make bad decisions and I can't really trust them. However, I did not get involved in any of the Christian Org. b/c I am already involved in a lot. I finally found a group (not a christian group, but a group made up of christians) that I love, (a couple weeks ago), but college is out in a couple weeks and I am transferring for nursing school. I would highly suggest to get involved because like me, you can feel surrounded by these bad choices and morals. God will not leave you and this promise is what has gotten me through. I wish now that I would have gotten involved in a bible study or mostly this new group I found sooner. I am looking forward to starting again at my new nursing college and only hope that I can find some good friends there.

 

[JustLiz87]

I think that going to a secular university will be a good experience. If God is leading you there, you will be able to handle it. He won't lead you to something you cannot handle. I have lived away from home at a residential high school since I was 15. My faith HAS been tested, but now I feel more secure in it than ever. You just need to stick to what you believe in and not be influenced by others. I'm going to a secular university in the fall and I love the school. I feel I will fit in socially and academically. Plus, it is close to home and only minutes from the church I go to with my bf. So...I'd say go for it and just remember what you have been taught. Do not compromise your beliefs.

 

[girlofgrace727]

I went to secular school for all of my education, so I dont kno what its like be in a christian school. It was tough, thats for sure, and I know that I could have done a much better job at it, but I didnt and theres not much I can do now..everyone knew I was a christian, and I never went out and partied, never got drunk, didnt swear, but I still could have lived my life to reflect Christ more...there werent many christians in my school, so it was hard not having someone to enourage me and what not..but yeah, just keep your head on striaght and be the only Jesus some of those people may ever see!

 

[CPman2004]

Next fall I'm going to be going to Cornell University as a freshman. It wasn't easy for me to decide which college to go to since I saw a lot of benefits of going to a Christian college. But I felt God was leading me here for a lot of reasons.

My question was, for anyone of you that goes to a secular school, do you feel a lot of preassure on you to do things you don't agree with? How do you handle this? I know I can do all things with God, and I'm not scared of drifting away from Christ, I'm more nervous with feeling isolation, and missunderstood from anyone.

I attend the University of Kentucky and yes it is secular. If you feel God leading, then follow, resisting only results in tormil.

Do I feel pressured to do sinful things? Not really, sure I am comfronted with it every now and then, but I resist them easily. I know I shouldn't do them and that they only end in suffering, so they have no real appeal to me.

The Isolation part could be an issue, but I have found a wonderful Christian orginization on campus that has caused more spritiual growth and maturity then I have ever expereienced. Pray that God will lead you to a soild group of believes. Trust me he will provide, and in my case un-beknownst to me

 

[Gardnjam]

If every christian went to a christian only school, who would spread the good news?

God Bless

 

[Soulwings]

Next fall I'm going to be going to Cornell University as a freshman. It wasn't easy for me to decide which college to go to since I saw a lot of benefits of going to a Christian college. But I felt God was leading me here for a lot of reasons.

My question was, for anyone of you that goes to a secular school, do you feel a lot of preassure on you to do things you don't agree with? How do you handle this? I know I can do all things with God, and I'm not scared of drifting away from Christ, I'm more nervous with feeling isolation, and missunderstood from anyone.

I go to a secular school, and although I'm not dorming, I've not felt pressure to do anything I shouldn't, except rarely, and even then the people knew my morals and so didn't really push anything at me. Cornell Uni as in the one in Ithaca, NY? It's a great school. If so, you'll only be about 60 miles from me ... if that makes you feel any better hehehe.

 

[tck1987]

I go to a secular school, and although I'm not dorming, I've not felt pressure to do anything I shouldn't, except rarely, and even then the people knew my morals and so didn't really push anything at me. Cornell Uni as in the one in Ithaca, NY? It's a great school. If so, you'll only be about 60 miles from me ... if that makes you feel any better hehehe

Yes, Cornell in Ithaca. 60 miles aren't anything, I'll be your neighbour, lol.

Thanks for all the encouragement guys.

 

[chuck010342]

Next fall I'm going to be going to Cornell University as a freshman. It wasn't easy for me to decide which college to go to since I saw a lot of benefits of going to a Christian college. But I felt God was leading me here for a lot of reasons.

My question was, for anyone of you that goes to a secular school, do you feel a lot of preassure on you to do things you don't agree with? How do you handle this? I know I can do all things with God, and I'm not scared of drifting away from Christ, I'm more nervous with feeling isolation, and missunderstood from anyone.

what is preassure? Who cares what people think about you it only matters what GOD thinks of you? I read the bible to handle it. who cares what people think about you they don't hold your soul.