"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9
It's that time of year again! Time to head back to school for all of you young people out there. I know... a new semester can be daunting and a little frightening sometimes. You may have all new teachers and classmates. Maybe you are just finishing your last year of high school and starting to apply for universities. Some of you may be entering college for the first time, now. Maybe you're taking a new step and moving away from your parents. Going into college for the first time can be nerve-racking, but you should embrace the experience as an exciting new adventure that God has planned for you!
I remember my first day of college orientation. I was really nervous. I barley knew anyone. So many thoughts raced through my head, like, "Will I make any good friends here? Will I like my classes? Are my professors nice? Will I get good grades? Can I figure out this computer software? Do they have decent food here? Am I going to get lost? Does that cute boy over there even notice me?" ...etc. What I've learned is that life will throw crazy curve balls at you. So even when you think you know of everything to expect something will always surprise you.
If you're entering college as a freshman don't be discouraged when trying to make friends or figuring your way around campus. Even if things don't seem to be working out at first, don't give up. It's easy to let your emotions get the best of you when you are upset or scared about something. My advice is to take this new opportunity and learn from it. Grow to become more independent. Grow to become more holy by trusting God completly. He will provide for you. His heart is an endless ocean of mercy. No task is too big for Him to take on for you. If you are worried, just pray and pour out your sorrows to Him. He will comfort you, bless you, and console you throughout your college years.
If you are like me, entering your last year of college as a senior, I can relate to you very well. I feel very familiar with my campus, community, and friends. I love where I am at and I don't want it to change. However, I know that I only have a year left. I know this can't last forever. I'm seeking out what to do once I graduate college. I am looking into grad school programs, employment opportunities, and internships. There are so many paths to consider. The question is... which one do I choose? Which one is the right path that God desires me to take? I don't have all the answers now, but I'm hoping to find a clearer path of where I'm suppose to go and what I'm suppose to do closer to graduation.
Each new stage in life has a loveliness and growth that helps us to become the person we are meant to be. It is not always easy. In fact, it can be very difficult sometimes. Transitioning from one place to another can be very intimidating, wherever you are coming from. Going from middle school to high school has its challenges as do going from high school to college. The next transition for me is undergrad to grad school or some type of job in my field of study. Who knows what that will be at this moment? But I am going to lay it all in the hands of the Lord. I am going to give all my worries to him so I don't have to, as should you.
A Student's Prayer - by St. Thomas Aquinas
Come, Holy Spirit, Divine Creator, true source of light and fountain of wisdom! Pour forth your brilliance upon my dense intellect, dissipate the darkness which covers me, that of sin and of ignorance. Grant me a penetrating mind to understand, a retentive memory, method and ease in learning, the lucidity to comprehend, and abundant grace in expressing myself. Guide the beginning of my work, direct its progress, and bring it to successful completion. This I ask through Jesus Christ, true God and true man, living and reigning with You and the Father, forever and ever. Amen.
