Fresh Insights~ and tips for freshers

I am now in my final year !! I cannot believe that this time last year I was a full fledge Fresher !!!
 Its not been easy but in life we live and we learn, EVERYDAY is a priceless gift from God filled with opportunities to learn and gain new perspectives on things. Honestly I can tell you that I have been through a lot which I shall share in more posts to come but today I want to focus on establishing yourself and creating a foundation to work on as you find and build yourself up in a new environment, well here it goes..........

 

Initial Impressions

Leaving home can be such an emotional time – you’re nervous , yet you’re excited by the new experience. You’re going to miss the familiarities of friends and family but you hoping to make new friends. You also wonder how to conduct yourself as a Christian and what activities you do or don't do. And chileeee don't forget you're most likely gonna leave your home church thus entering into a new and unique phase into your relationship with God which in its self is a big thing.

 

Making friends !!!

This is the part of most concern tbh  lets not even lie because no one wants to be a loner. You want to find people who you gel with because its gonna make your experience. What I will say is that have an open mind ! some of the best people you will meet might be the ones you might least expect to be friends with. There are people in your halls, next to your halls, people in your lectures and in different societies. Embrace this! People will be friendly, well at least in my experience. Don’t be afraid to spend time and get to know them you're embarking on a similar life journey which is higher education you have that in common. Be yourself and build relationships.  and as you get acquainted you can begin to introduce Christ to them, if they haven't asked already. A quick side note I will say is that the people who you live with especially in halls its not a guarantee that they might be your type of people or you will even be close friends with them, but despite that friendliness goes a long way and don't let that ruin your experience because they are plenty of people to befriend.

 

Get involved !

 

Try something new, do what you love to do. For me I enjoyed netball and drama so I dived into that. Its a great outlet from your academic work even church life too. I would urge you to get involved in a sport or activity you love, don’t just spend all your time in church or CU activities not that there's anything wrong with that but give yourself the best opportunity to be a well rounded person.

Find a church

In the midst of making friends and doing a variety of activities This is IMPORTANT. Find a church that loves and supports you I would encourage a denomination you already attend at home so there isn't a conflict in doctrine. I know Christians at uni who had the intentions of going to church but they never did,. Your best bet is to make sure that you find one by November because you'll most likely give up by then and you will suffer a bit spiritually Hebrews 10:25. Being in church will help you feel more at home and grow in your knowledge of God. And let me tell you your church friends and people will help you so much in adjusting and support you as you live and strive to be a better Christian. I am so blessed that I have all the above.

Enjoy yourself !

 Enjoy your time at uni! Yes it’s a time to study but make it fun you will be spending a long time there and boy is it going fast. Make the most of time with others and try new things.

BUT REMEMBER...

This life is not all, neither is it just for yourself. Its about building a real and deeply meaningful relationship with God and that will exude in your relationships with others. Honestly let me tell you, despite what you do pray in the good and the bad in your sin in your joyous moments always remember God, because you will need him and aint nothing worse not even bad grades are as ill feeling as not having a relationship with your saviour and this is something I am releasing. Matt 6:33 couldn't say it better, But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. all those friends those grades everything and trust me you wont go wrong !

Starting University

Its been such a long journey and a hard journey but nonetheless I thank God for the experience and bringing me through it ! My two years doing A levels was not the easiest, I came into the scheme unprepared ( GCSES'S DO NOT prepare you for A levels ). I worked hard and I achieved good grades however it wasn't the best time of my life due to the high demands of work ,coursework and other internal and external factors, however what made it worthwhile was that it was the beginning of my learning experience to depend on God. , I'm still learning and growing to trust him, and ask him for wisdom and knowledge in all my work and relationships. So back to university... Can i just say that results day was the most stressful day of my life !! I had missed my offer by a grade and I was not sure if I was going to go to my chosen university or not; sometimes they do give you an exception if you miss the entry requirements. The university took I would say about 12 hours to let me know they had given me a place and so you can imagine my anxiety and confusion when i logged on to UCAS to discover that my track had not updated, and whilst others where celebrating there success i was as to say sitting in the woodwork's. I phoned and someone from admissions said I did not get in but I was not satisfied with that answer. I took it to the lord in prayer with a strong petition. I phoned again and talked directly to my department who told me I had a place. And now I'm here having finished my first year of University !!

First ever night at University

 As the early Christian philosopher and theologian Augustine said " Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to his love, and the future to his providence," I have to look back at my first year university experience and say it is opening my eyes to areas I need to work on,things I am doing well and the main thing which is that God has to be the center and priority of my life, my growth, my past and my future. This blog will be a compilation of my life, the lessons it is teaching me. The experiences I have gained all point to the glory of God as I grow to become the woman he wants me to be.