Going to university is always a big life transition. You’re leaving home for the first time, making new friends, gaining independence, doing your own laundry! But this year, we have a global pandemic thrown into the mix.
All the usual questions like: ‘Will I fit in?’, ‘Will I make friends?’ and ‘What will my course be like?’, pale into insignificance in comparison to the question:
“What on earth will my first year at university look like?!“
In the face of uncertainty, it can be easy to panic. Our minds resound with a cacophony of ‘what ifs’ and we begin to stumble under the weight of the questions. But this isn’t how God wants us to live.
During lockdown, I’ve found Psalm 62 particularly helpful for reminding me that God is my rock and fortress, even when it feels like everything around me is shaking. This is Psalm 62: 5-7:
Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
God is our rock, our fortress and our refuge. These are incredible truths but can be so easy to forget.
And so here are three ways you can help yourself to remember this as you start uni this September:
- Look for Church Community
Church doesn’t look like it normally would at the moment, but it is still so essential.
God created us to walk the Christian faith with brothers and sisters by our side. Finding a local church in Durham will help you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus when the tides of uni life may be trying to pull you away.
Why not check out the churches in Durham even before you arrive?
Most churches have online services so you can easily check out what they’re like. To find out more about Kings, head to kcd.org.uk/freshers and sign up to our contact list so that we can connect with you even before you arrive in Durham. We’d love to meet you!
- Put in healthy habits before you arrive
Uni life can be busy. With new friends, sports matches, countless societies and somehow squeezing your degree in as well, your time with God could easily be pushed out of the picture if you’re not careful.
Cultivate a rhythm of prayer, bible reading and worship now so that the building blocks are in place before you come to uni.
- Pray!
Prayer actually works! So lift your time at university to God in prayer, rather than letting thoughts or worries whirl unhelpfully around your head. Here are some suggestions of things you might like to pray for:
- Ask God to help you trust Him and ask for His peace.
- Pray for those who will be in your course or corridor, that you will be able to share your faith with them.
- Pray for the university – for safety and wisdom for those making decisions.
- And finally, ask that, over your time at university you will come to know Him and love Him even more deeply.
God is your fortress, your rock and your refuge. Keep looking to Him in uncertain times for your hope truly does come from Him.
We’re looking forward to meeting you in Durham soon!