Many college freshmen shipwreck their college career, career plans, or even their whole life in the first few weeks of school. Psychologists say the second greatest time of change in a person's life is high school graduation to Christmas. These seven elements when practiced can lead to success.
1. TREAT THE FIRST THREE WEEKS LIKE THEY ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT OF YOUR ADULT LIFE (Because they are.).
-What a student does the first three weeks usually sets the pattern and relationships that you will have for your whole college career.
-Develop the habits that will make you succeed.
2. FIND OTHER STUDENTS YOU WANT TO BE LIKE AND MAKE FRIENDS WITH THEM.
-If good grades are important to you, find other students who want to make good grades. Their habits and thoughts will encourage your own study habits and thoughts.
-We become like the five people with whom we spend the most time. Choose your friends wisely.
-If living and growing as a Christian is important to you, make friends with students who want to live and grow as a Christian and you will more likely to live and grow as a Christian at college.
3. CONNECT TO A COLLEGE MINISTRY AND A CHURCH QUICKLY.
-Many college students walk away from their faith because they are not intentional about connecting to a ministry at the beginning. College is busy and there are more things to do than you can do.
-Most campus and church based college ministries provide start of school get acquainted/find out about the ministry events. On 800 campuses there is a Baptist Collegiate Ministry. Some are called BSM, BSU, BCM, etc. They are there to help you.
4. GO TO EVERY CLASS EVERY TIME.
-The easiest thing you can do to do well in college classes is to go to class. Most students who struggle with grades do not go to class all the time.
-Don't believe the rumor that goes around that says, "Don't worry about going to classes at the beginning." When classes start, you start and keep on.
-Some professors even take more mercy on a border line grade, if you have been there all the time and demonstrated that you cared.
5. UNDERSTAND THAT DOUBTS AND QUESTIONS ABOUT GOD AND FAITH ARE NORMAL ........AND CAN LEAD TO A STRONGER FAITH.
-Some professors or other students may make fun of God and faith and raise questions you cannot answer.
-Just because you do not know the answer does not mean there is not an answer.
-Because a professor is an expert in their field does not mean that all they might say critical about God and the Bible are accurate.
6. WHEN YOU MESS UP....DON'T GIVE UP!
-Being away from home the first time and trying to fit in, it is easy to do something contrary to your faith or moral code. That does NOT mean you are not a Christian or that God has given up on you.
-Admit to the Lord and yourself that you goofed and figure out where to go from there.
-"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9
7. CONNECT WITH AN ADULT MENTOR.
-There are more experienced adults who are there to help people just like you. They have been there and done that. Connecting regularly with them can be a booster shot.
-College Ministers on campus or at a Church are great mentors. Make sure to meet one or more during your first three weeks.
-Ask about going for coffee or a coke some time soon. They want to help.
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry coach, blogger and author. Check out Arliss' new book, ALMOST EVERYTHING ABOUT COLLEGE MINISTRY, at amazon.com. Type in Arliss Dickerson or the title.
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