Freshman Year Is...

Q: What has surprised you about college so far?

A: I expected to make a lot of quality friends right away, and after a few days in college I realized that it doesn’t necessarily work like that. Building relationships has to do with a lot more than the similar conversation of “Where are you from?” and “What is your major?” It was discouraging to find out that that’s all some people care to know. It was also hard to see that a lot of people don’t know Jesus and have completely different views on how they want to live their lives.

Q: What are the strongest temptations for people in your age group?

A: Drugs and alcohol are very prevalent everywhere you go in college, and I didn’t think this would affect me when I got to school as much as it has. I was surprised to find out that because I don’t attend parties or participate in drinking, I would be a minority. At the beginning of the semester, it was very hard for me to make friends because a lot of students were bonding over alcohol, and that was something I couldn’t share with them. I have found other ways to fill my weekends, and work to explain to others that it doesn’t make you “lame” if you choose not to go out—my version of fun just might be different than theirs.

Q: How has your time in God’s Word benefited you this semester and how have you made time for it?

A: I work hard to make time every week to listen to sermons online from Beautiful Savior, as well as attend church and Bible studies as much as I can. It definitely puts things into perspective when I’m stressed out over school work or need a break from everything. I am so thankful to have a God that gives me the strength to know that he has a plan for me regardless of my grades or the amount of friends I have. I also realized how thankful I am to be at such an amazing college, and to be receiving the education I am at Ohio State. When I get frustrated, I remember that not everyone has the opportunity to attend college and that God has blessed me immensely—none of this would have been possible without Him.

Q: What do you think current high school seniors really need to know about college before they get there?

A: No one is there telling you what to do, but it’s so important to make time for God. Before I left, I had no idea how much I would miss Beautiful Savior and the luxury to attend every Sunday, and one of my favorite things about coming home is going back to my church family. My college experience would look extremely different if I didn’t remember to put God first, and while I still struggle with sin every day, I am so thankful for the foundation I grew up with and the strong faith I am able to carry with me everywhere I go.