Helping Your Senior Make a College Decision
For most high school seniors, the time of structured learning environments chosen for them is coming to an end. As the spring semester flies by and an epidemic of "senioritis" grows, the childhood learning experience is winding down. While this change is welcome for some students, for others, decisions about careers and post-high school education can bring about significant anxiety.
One of the most challenging decisions teenagers will make is regarding their next move. For approximately 13-14 years, students have had their learning environments dictated for them. Whether attending location-based public schools, private schools, or even homeschooling, the decision about how to pursue education was largely out of their control. However, as graduation approaches, a world of new possibilities is opening up. It is in this transitional moment that parents tend to let their kids have a major say in the next season of life, so college applications, visits, and fact-finding begin.
There are plenty of factors to look at when deciding on a what path a person should take after high school. Location, academics, sports, cost, campus culture, facilities, family history and friends all come in to play. But I believe there is a more important factor that teenagers often miss. It stems from the question; will this place help me become the person that I want to be?
Ultimately, the purpose of college is have a formative experience. Sure, students are formed in terms of their education and future vocations, but students are also just being simply formed into being different people. This season of life can go multiple directions though. Sometimes, college can be a great time of growth (especially spiritually) for a young adult. But for others college can be a season of self discovery that leads young adults into a lifestyle that is not conducive to positive growth, and can actually have some pretty dangerous consequences.
Throughout my 10ish years working with students, I have seen both sides of this spectrum but I can honestly say that for most people I have seen go through college, the experience was generally a positive one in which they really grow into the people they are becoming. I am thankful that for many of the students I have had a chance to disciple, post high school has been a season of spiritual growth that has led them to go on mission trips, lead outreach ministries, and just generally grow into their faith. After all, I think that as we look back to the question of “will this place help me become the person that I want to be?” I believe that the person many Christian teenagers want to be, is a follower of Jesus.
Beyond the traditional metrics used to weigh whether a school is a good fit or not, I wanted to see what some of the college students who I have seen succeed in their faith had looked at when deciding on a school. I reached out to 4 students who are currently in college, attending church, growing in their faith, and even serving in the areas they live in so that others may know Jesus. Below, I will present some of their “keys to finding a faith conducive college experience.
Mallory Hamm
Marshall University
Mallory Hamm is currently finishing up her undergraduate degree at Marshall University. She serves in Huntington with Young Life, and attends River Ridge faithfully when she is home in Charleston. Mallory gave 3 of her keys to choosing a college.
Ministry Options: College ministries can be extremely helpful for connecting you with friends and other followers of Jesus in college.
Know Your Limits: For some students, a college that has a heavy partying culture may be too much handle. If those things are going to distract you from your faith, they aren’t worth it.
Don’t Just Follow Others: Going where your friends are going can be great, but if the college they choose doesn’t check your boxes, don’t go there just for the friendships.
Will Santen
Auburn University
Will Santen is currently in his undergraduate program at Auburn University. He is serving actively in kids ministry at a church and also leads Young Life for high school students.
Don’t Be Afraid to Go Away: Will mentioned that sometimes a fear of an unknown place can make the college decision difficult. Finding community may take time, but “good things are worth it, and you can’t grow where you’re comfortable.”
Prioritize Your Faith: Will mentioned that when he first got to college he was living into “college life,” He said “I realize that God pulled me out of that to show me how much better life is with him! Since following Jesus seriously in college, I have made much better friends and have had such a joy for life here.”
Do Your Research on Churches: Will said this when talking about his favorite part about Auburn. "When people ask me what my favorite part about going to Auburn, they expect answers like the weather, SEC football, and things like that. My answer, though, is much different. My favorite part about going to Auburn is the church I am involved in.”
Kaycee Johnson
East Tennessee State University
Kaycee Johnson is currently working on an undergraduate degree as East Tennessee State University. She is plugged in to a local church and going to Kenya this summer on a mission trip!
Safety: Kaycee had some great practical advice and said “When you tour the campus, imagine you’re walking around it by yourself, do you feel safe? Did they mention safety resources available? This is super important considering you are planning to potentially spend the next four years on this campus.”
Clubs, Ministries, Organizations: Kaycee echoed what Mallory and Will said and affirmed the need for looking into what is offered to Christian students that will help connect them relationally and spiritually.
Excitement: Every new season of life is a chance to enjoy where God has placed you. Kaycee said “Going off to college is always a bittersweet feeling but there should definitely still be excitement involved. If you are not excited to be there, it may not be the place for you.”
Ben Santen
Hope College
Ben Santen is currently attending Hope College in Michigan and serves with Young Life as a Wyldlife leader.
Find the Values of the College: Ben mentioned finding out what things your college values. He was tankful to find a college that values the Christian journey and offers a place conducive to a life of faith.
Pray: Ben offered some great wisdom and it was this; to allow prayer to be a significant part of your decision making process. He specifically referred to Romans 12:2 which says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
In conclusion, the journey of choosing a college is a significant one and should be approached with prayer and discernment. Remember to keep Jesus at the center, no matter where you go or what you study. Your faith doesn't have to take a backseat to your education; in fact, it can enrich it. So, consider the values of your potential college, the availability of ministries, and the community that you'll be stepping into. But most importantly, remember that no matter where you end up, your commitment to following Jesus is what truly matters. He will guide you and be with you every step of the way, through every season of life.
