FAMILY & FRIENDS: First Day of College

Update August 25, 2011
Son #1 began his last three classes of college on Monday (2 taken this fall; 1 in the spring).  Son #2 began dual-enrolling at a local community college on Monday as he began his senior year of high school. This article is still applicable to the many who returned to school this week.


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ORIGINAL POST 2009

Jeremiah 29:11

‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope..."

Ah, the first day of college classes. For my older son, they resume--this is the beginning of his junior year in college as well as the beginning of his first day of part-time work on campus. We have other young friends who have their very first day of college life today. I remember when I began. It was bittersweet leaving high school although my college (as well as my son's) is in our hometown.

• New responsibilities--no parents to remind you to do your homework or projects, choosing your own classes and making sure that two don't occur at the same time, budgeting your money, working part-time
• New friends--many of them several years older and most do not live in your neighborhood
• New instructors who are called professors, not teachers
• New course requirements--blue-book essay tests, one test determines your grade, and their strange letter/number format (AR101)
• New grading system--it is more difficult to get an A (93-100)
• Finding your way around campus and getting to classes on time

Every large group (student enrollment) needs its share of smaller groups so students can really feel a part and make solid friendships to encourage you during this stage of life. Some choose fraternities or sororities as I did (I was not a Christian during my college years); some choose athletics / intramurals; some choose clubs based on personal interests and others choose religious non-profit groups i.e. Campus Crusade for Christ which my son and many of his friends have chosen. Whichever group you or your students find themselves a part of, be careful of the company you keep. If you make a mistake and choose a group that later you discover is not for you, by all means, be bold and leave that group. Make decisions ahead of time as to what you will do when the temptations come--drinking, skipping classes, taking drugs, having premarital sex--to name a few.

Nowhere is it more apparent than in college, that Bad company corrupts good morals, so do not be deceived. 1Corinthians 15:33

My thoughts and prayers are with all who are beginning this initiation into adulthood and time of testing called college life. It can be a wonderful adventure as long as you make wise choices. More than likely, good parents are on their knees constantly during this time in their child's / young adult's  life.