college

At 18 years old, I thought I knew a lot about the world. 

At 26, I don’t think I know much at all. 

But I happen to know a few, beautiful, talented, fun, energetic, off-to-college 18 year old girls— and I am writing this partly because I can’t believe you are grown-ups and I am feeling nostalgic, but mostly because I love you and wish only wonderful memories for you during the next season of your lives… so, here are the things I do know about college.

1.   It’s hard.  The first semester in particular, because you will miss home (some moments more than others) you will miss having your own room, you might learn more than you wanted to know about your roommate, you will feel nervous about finding the right classroom, you will have a teacher that you cannot understand well, and you will probably have moments of loneliness—even surrounded by thousands of other students—because in those moments you wonder who really knows who you are…

2.   It’s testing.  I know I am not the first and certainly won’t be the last person to tell you that there is no shortage of not-so-good options in college.  You can find one on a Wednesday morning as easily as you can on a Saturday night.  And these choices will always be there, and you will watch a lot of people you love make them, and you will probably make some of them yourself.  But do whatever it takes to make more good choices than bad ones.  Pick church over sleeping in, Bible study over Happy Hour, homework over beer pong, people who have always loved you over the guy who won’t be there in the morning.  And by all means, choose those Frat parties sparingly!  Go to one, see that you are not missing anything, and never go again, ok girls?!

3.   It’s mind-opening.  College makes your world bigger, in all the best ways.  Until now, you have never been in a biology lab with a single mom of three kids trying to finish her degree.  You have never sat with 700 other students in the same class and been identified as a number.  You have probably never done a group project with a recently married gay woman, an Iraq war veteran, a Theology major, a volunteer for Ron Paul’s presidential campaign, and a sorority member.  But you will do these things, and you will learn that everyone has a different lens through which they see the world.  Listen to their stories, value their experience, respect their humanity.  And all the while, dive deeper into God’s word and hold on tightly to your own story.  Confidently believe in who you are, humbly accept who everyone else is. 

4.   It’s faith-shaping.  No matter where you go to school, you will hear people in positions of authority challenge the Bible, Jesus, and even the notion of God.  I dare you to not run away from the questions but to acknowlege them.  Explore your doubts—the world is scary, and the more you realize that the more likely you are to have them at some point.  Talk with pastors, mentors, and small groups about tough topics.  Don’t be afraid to say, “Hmmm, I wonder about this…” Because I believe two things will happen for you: 1) You will eventually emerge from your questions knowing that life does not make sense without Jesus, and 2) You will confront the hard realities of this world wanting to be someone God uses to do something about them, rather than someone who blames God for them. 

5.   It’s super fun.  There is not a time of my life that I enjoyed more than college.  Lots of freedom, not a lot of bills to pay, a ton of learning, meeting so many awesome people, eating cereal for dinner, planning for your future… it’s pretty cool.  Soak it up.  Go to the free concerts, get in line for the speakers that come to campus, join clubs and play intramurals, try to get all of your classes to fit in Monday thru Thursday and have a semester of three-day weekends, be a good friend, listen well to others and don’t give your time or your heart to anyone who doesn’t listen well to you.  Take lots of pictures, call your parents often to tell them you’re fine, and just enjoy being right where you are. 

You’re off to bigger and better things now.  No one else can make decisions for you, and no one else can live with the outcome of your decisions.  You have a chance to be whoever you want to, embrace that.  And remember that you are daughters of the Creator of the Universe, and that means you have everything you need.

And please, try to remember that frat parties are stupid. 

Wishing you smiles, blessings, lessons, and love each and every day. 


*Couldn't resist adding this one, mostly because of Erin.  Love you.*