For most students, heading away to college is the first time they’ve lived out of home. And getting ready for that change can be really scary!
But adjusting to independent life doesn’t have to be too hard. Check out these tips for preparing to move away to college.
Solidify your relationship with God
If you’re heading away to college, you’re probably not going to be around your normal church community any more.
So before you go, make sure your faith is solid and strong! Even at a Christian college, it’s important that you’ve got good personal Bible reading and prayer habits sorted out, so that you can continue growing in your faith.
Try and get in these habits before you head off to college, so that even amidst the disruption of settling into a new home your relationship with God remains strong.
Learn how to do the practical stuff
Make sure you’ve got the basics of adulting under your belt – like how to do laundry, how to cook simple meals, and how to go grocery shopping without spending a fortune!
Ask your parents to show you how to do these things and you’ll be far better prepared than some other college students.
Plus, remember that at some Christian colleges, things like cooking and cleaning might be rostered around between students to share the load and show care for each other.
Don’t be the person who has no idea how to clean a toilet!
Sort out your diet
College can be a time of unhealthy behaviour, as we can go a bit crazy when there is no parent to say we can’t have that fourth bowl of ice cream!
Make sure you understand the major building blocks of a healthy diet – like healthy carbohydrates, fats, protein, fruit and veggies – and you’ll keep your body much healthier. Plus you’ll hopefully avoid the Freshman 5!
At a Christian college, you may find that more attention is taking in preparing healthier meals for students, to help them honour God while keeping their bodies healthy.
Expand your horizons
If you’re going to a Christian college, it’s possible you’ll be living with people who have different denominational backgrounds to you.
If you’re totally unaware of the differences between different denominations or Christian traditions, you may find it difficult to interact with others. Expand your horizons by doing some research about different types of Christian faith, so you’re ready to venture out beyond your own tradition.
Practice serving others
At college, you’ll be living in very close quarters with others. So before you go, make sure you’re ready and willing to be a great roommate!
You can prepare for this by practicing on your family members – fold your sister’s clothes, cook dinner for your family, drive your brother to football practice, mow the lawn or take your parents out for coffee.
Practice serving others and demonstrating God’s love, and you’ll fit right in at a Christian college where everyone is trying to do the same!
Moving away from home for the first time can be really scary, but if you follow these tips you should be ready and raring to go when you arrive on campus. You should settle in to life at your Christian college in no time!