Serving while surviving college

For a fulfilling college experience, getting involved on campus is important. A support system is needed to survive all of the many activities crammed into a short amount of time. Quizzes, assignments, tests, midterms, research papers, projects, presentations, and finals are a small part of the busy schedule that demands a student’s time. Add a part-time or full-time job, a sport or sports, academic clubs, coffee runs, study breaks, and many other things to a full-time student’s schedule and you have one stressed out college student. Also, don’t forget to spend time with family and friends.

Dealing with the stress of school and life outside of school is a lot to juggle. Along with family and friends, a local church can be a part of your support system. The challenge of including church, Bible study, and serving time often discourages students from getting involved at all in a church and community.

The student’s thought process seems to be focus on your education first and then, you’ll find time to be a part of the community and serve. However, we are not promised our next breath so why are we waiting to start living out what is most important?
          Galatians 5:13-14 says, "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (ESV)

            While it seems like there is no freedom as a student, we are called to freedom. We should not carry the burdens of stress, instead invest in people around you by loving them. Serving is love in action.

SURVIVING COLLEGE

With only four months, how are you supposed to impact someone in such a small amount of time? If you’re too busy to hang out with friends because of homework, study together. Ephesians 5:15-16 says to be wise in how you live and to make the best of every opportunity. Use every moment you can find to invest in people around you. The dinner table is a good place to prioritize time with people. Since you have to take time to eat, have intentional conversations at the table.

 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God,” says 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV).

In whatever you do, glorify the Lord. However, being intentional is still very important in all relationships as well as in serving. Find time for important things like investing in people. If you’re extremely busy and can’t find time, then, make time like at the dinner table as mentioned before. A true friend should be willing to drop everything for anyone in need. Friends last longer than grades. Take a study break and go get ice-cream to cry with your friend over the frustrations of life or to have a good laugh.

Obviously, you don’t want to completely throw off all studiousness to goof off. Education is a way to glorify God by using your gifts and talents to pursue a career that will impact the world around you. Preparing for your future is good, but don’t forget about the people that are around you because they make the college experience memorable. You have a limited amount of time with your college friends. A few will be around for a while, but most will move on as you do after graduation.

SERVING

            Being a friend and finding everyday life moments to serve and glorify God are ways to serve while surviving college, but choosing to serve is a way to thrive in community. Attend a small group or Bible study to truly be in community with other believers. Being active in a local church is an important step because serving by yourself is draining. We are made to live in community with fellow believers so that others will see the love of Jesus as John 13:34-45 says.

Adding another activity to the schedule does becomes overwhelming. Instead of being involved in everything, wisely choose one or two that you’re passionate about and do those well. What you’re willing to skip homework for is probably a sign that the Bible study or ministry is an important essential on your to do list. The same can be said of friendships. While we are called to love everyone, wisely choose friendships that you can invest in deeply.

"So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy," says Colossians 1:10-11 (ESV).