I entered university with a state of mind that can only be described as a mess. Four months into my exit from a two-year-long relationship, I was battling a lot of guilt as I saw that relationship as a failure self-inflicted by my wilfulness. 

Since I met him during orientation in junior college, even the word “orientation” itself was sufficient to trigger feelings of shame.

It would remind me of how I met a charismatic person and felt butterflies in my stomach within days, a feeling which I would go on to mistake as love (I was an 18-year-old bookworm who wrapped herself in the romance bubbles that novels offered). 

With this impression of “orientation” in mind, I was terrified. To me, orientation was like a restart button that had the power to orchestrate the same sequence of events – failure was waiting for me around the corner.

As a result, my mind was bombarded with a bunch of what-ifs, and I was crippled by the fear that history would repeat itself. 

As the first day of university approached, my anxiety grew. I was entangled in a well of overwhelming emotions. I was afraid, but I was more frustrated with myself for feeling this way when it was supposed to be an exciting season in this new chapter in life!

I was so stressed out that I started breaking down every other day leading up to orientation, and that’s something I obviously do not wish any freshie to experience! 

So, as I write this and recall how I got through that rocky transition, I would like to share five ways to prepare yourself for university! In short, you just have to be STILL…

1. Stay close to your godly community

I freaked out the day before orientation, but received lots of love on the same day too. As I vented my frustration between sobs, I was thankful for the people who came alongside me to be a listening ear and back me up with prayer. 

The next day, before the opening ceremony even began, different ones checked in on me and offered me words of encouragement. 

Being surrounded by a godly community is important. These brothers and sisters-in-Christ not only ensure that you are not alone, they also help you stay aligned to God as you walk through your new season.

University is a time full of fun and excitement. You are finally free and old enough to do all you like with nobody monitoring you closely. 

But let me say this with love and sincerity – choose to be watched.

As we grow from youths to young adults in university, we are more exposed to the temptations of the world. Peer influence and comparisons make it even harder at times to stand firm in the ways of God. 

This is why having people who look out for us and realign us is essential. When we stay close to people who walk right with God, we will also spurred to walk in the path of righteousness.

As Psalm 37:31 tells us: “The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.” Accountability takes discipline, but it serves you well and brings you a long way in life. 

2. Take time with God

What better way to prepare yourself than spending time with God in His Word?

While I was wrecked with anxiety the night before orientation, I knew that I didn’t want to start my university life like that. 

Since the idea of going to university was like going to war at that time, I decided to read up about the Armour of God in Ephesians 6.

As I took time to let God’s Word sink into my heart, I felt peace gradually took over. I was more comforted and convinced that even if I were to face trials in the week to come, God would equip me to fight the good fight of faith.

Apart from reading the Bible, taking time with God also means seeking God for your purpose in your university. 

You are not there only to attain good grades and make new friends, you are there for a divine purpose. God has a particular purpose for this three to four years of your life and it is crucial for you to find out what that is.

Because when you know your purpose, you will not go about chasing things that least matter. 

On top of that, spending time to set certain godly convictions and non-negotiables will be helpful to keep your faith strong in this phase of transition as well. Here are some questions you can ponder on in doing so:

• What are some temptations that I may potentially fall into? 
• Practically speaking, how can I prevent myself from being vulnerable to temptations?
• What is the biblical view regarding (__)? 
• What makes me want to set this non-negotiable? 

3. Involve God in your transition

As orientation goes by, you will soon be met with more decisions to make. 

• Which CCA should I join? Do I even want to join a CCA?
• Am I going to stay in hall?
• Should I participate in hall events?
• Which module do I want to take this sem? 

The list runs on. The truth is, as you progress in university – and in life, actually – there will only be more and more choices to make (which is why having godly convictions to anchor us is so pivotal!).

Your choices either lead you closer to God, or further. 

Involving God in your transition can be as simple as bringing small decisions to Him through prayer, and asking godly leaders and peers for counsel. 

In your daily life on campus, converse with God actively! He cares about every aspect in your life, so nothing is too small to talk about. As you involve God in this manner, He will grant you discernment and speak to you as well regarding the people and culture around you. 

4. Let God lead you 

As God speaks, let Him guide you! You don’t have to know everything. You can’t, and that’s okay. Give yourself space to learn and find out as you go along. 

Uncertainty can be a blessing.

I’m entering Year 3 and I can be honest with you: I still have no idea how to get things done most of the time.

When it came to my internship, for instance, I was clueless. I could only rely on Google to clarify some of the application procedures and I could only pray for companies to reply my email. When the companies did reply, God was the only one who knew what was best for me.

Even after securing my internship, I had to trust in God’s leading – my internship portal crashed two days before the application deadline! Anyway, praise God, I got that internship now. God led me on that adventure and grew me. 

Now that I think about it, uncertainty (and you will face that a lot in university) can be a blessing. It gives room for us to seek God as we come to understand that He is a God who is unlimited – and He knows way more than Google!

Our knowledge can only get us so far, but God’s guidance comes with His favour. Remember, you follow the Waymaker who parted the Red Sea for Moses and the Israelites!

So, learn to rely on God in your university days. Each time you trust in His leading, your faith grows. Believe that where God leads you to be, you will be.

5. Live as children of light

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8)

University is a place and phase full of grey areas, but we must not compromise or conform to the “norm”. We are called to live as children of light.

Don’t ask what’s grey or what boundaries may be pushed? Ask better questions instead like:

• What do I want out of this? 
• Why do I want to be involved in this? 
• What will I gain or lose from this?
• Does this help me to grow in my relationship with God? 

To navigate this new culture, we need to first remember who we are in Christ.

We are also called to be an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12) which means that we are to be set apart and winsomely show Christ’s love to others. Never be ashamed of who we are – we are children of light. 

So take heart, freshmen! Enjoy this exciting chapter of your life as you partner with God in your university days!

I pray that God’s peace and favour will be upon you, that you may experience an unshakable joy as you anticipate this new season of your life!