For New Students

Living with Freedom - Christians on Campus 

If you're heading off to university or college at the end of this summer then a few changes await you. Whether you are going across the water or across the road you will have a new routine, new friends, a new environment, new freedom and responsibilities. Perhaps you're excited by these opportunities, or maybe you're a bit nervous. Student life presents an almost endless list of challenges, from finding accommodation to finding your first lecture, from managing your student loan to managing your laundry, from studying in the library to studying the idiots' guide to home cookery, there's a lot to look forward to!

For Christians there can be the added challenges of finding a new church, making new Christian friends, resisting the temptation to abuse your new found freedom. However, life as a Christian at university or college shouldn't be about surviving in a hostile environment. It is about thriving with God's help; being transformed by a vibrant relationship with him, and transforming the lives of others around you by his power.

Resources

FRESH  - a fantastic new resource, FRESH provides daily inspirations for new students covering everything from writing essays to writing home, from making friends to making the grade, from debt to dating. FRESH offers a challenging introduction to maintaining a strong personal Christian faith but keeps its main emphasis on discovering how Christian students can make the most of their faith, relationships and studies.

 Availabe for £4 from the IFES Ireland Office

Further FRESH resources (including small group material)  available here

Events

If you are an international student at a university in Northern Ireland, check out iCafé.

A Fresh Perspective

by Catherine Ferguson

On my first day at university I remember feeling like it was my first day at school again - everything new and strange, having to look like I knew what I was doing when really I had no idea and my heart was beating double time.  Actually I don't remember it being so bad, but I did have a few of those moments... and I guess I still do! 

As a Fresher you wonder who you'll meet and talk with first, what you'll say, if there'll be anyone you know - maybe someone you recognise to say ‘Hi' to but whose name you cannot remember.  Gradually the initial daze lifts - you begin to settle in, it becomes obvious who your good friends will be, and you realise that there's more to all this...  There's the ‘getting to know you' beyond class chat; different friendship circles to maintain at home and at university; being independent during the week but bringing the washing home at the weekend; learning to feed yourself regularly, and trying to establish at least a reasonable sleeping pattern!

When I started at UUJ I threw myself into everything: my studies, practical classes, hockey, the CU, small groups, football...  I look back now and wonder where my confidence came from during those first few weeks.  Beginning university is by no means a trivial feat.  It stirs up a huge mixture of emotions, from excitement and nerves to a huge desire to go wild and enjoy your newfound freedom.  It's about embracing change, trying new activities (within reason!) and talking to nearly everyone under the sun, whilst remembering that God has called us to be in the world, but not of it.  It's about living life in all its fullness, but doing that in God's grace and keeping Him as our primary focus.

Preparing for University

By Rosie Critchlow

Looking back a year to this time I remember all the feelings I had in anticipation of going to university. Emotions of fear, excitement and an added dimension of apprehension, what would it mean being a 'Christian' at university especially in England where the culture is different. What should I stand for, would I be rejected? Would people listen to me? What would it mean living in an environment with people that didn't understand my faith? I remember someone once saying that university is one of the largest mission fields.  How would knowing this change how I lived? Did I want to be remembered for what I do or what I don't (for example not drinking alcohol)? Preparing for university is important.  Knowing more or less who you are and what you stand for is key-deciding your black and white stances in a grey university. There is so much opened up to you at university and many find the first year hard. How much is too much with the regards to alcohol and partying.  What about the Christian union? Is it outward looking or insular, will I be outward looking or insular? The Christian Union is vital for a new Christian at university as is finding a church however this can't form your social life with the numbers of dying people all around. Being able to relate to non Christians is a skill and is vital.  I think before I had come to university I had forgotten how to properly be with non Christians- being in the world, but not of it. Support is necessary, but it won't necessarily be what you would expect. As a new student you have to actively seek it out, and friendships take time. There won't be a ready made community of people there to get alongside you if you fall, or to challenge you. University forces you to make your faith more your own as you begin to feel God firsthand when it's hard, when you feel alone. You begin to experience God more as father, protector and friend.

It's important to be ready for challenges and be firm in the decision to follow no matter what. Have principles and don't waver to fit.  At university so many people try and 'fit'- but deep down they're not looking for someone else to fit; what they are looking for is for someone different, someone who stands up for what they believe. It will be that, that will cause others to respect you not how many pints you can down in a night. I encourage you to make the choice to stand strong and not to waver, to try and be the same person to all people you meet-those in the cu and those in your halls. Always look for ways to show Jesus, it will be the actions that will cause people to question, and when they do be ready to answer!

Student Link Up:
Be part of a Christian Union

Click here to download a PDF application form
Click here to fill in the form online

Further Resources for New Students

Starting Well...
New Student ID from Colin's blog
Advice for freshers from The Blue Fish Project