IF YOU COULD WRITE A LETTER TO YOURSELF AS YOU STARTED UNI, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?
Dear Student Viki,
Congratulations! You've arrived at uni, you're unpacking - making your room resemble a Pinterest board and your bedroom door is held open with an owl shaped doorstop to show your flat mates you're friendly.
You're doing good. These next 3 years will genuinely be the best 3 years of your life so far. There will be laughter, the type that makes your belly hurt and your eyes leak and you will feel as if you've had a full workout after. You will eat pizza at 1am and over indulge in the co-op's chocolate brownies. You will make friendships that feel as if you've known each other for your whole life. There will be joy, but there will also be confusion, anger and upset. Trust me, I've been there. So here are my encouragements for past you.
Listen up and take it in.
You might not get a first in every assignment, and that's okay. The workload will increase, and you will make mistakes from time to time. Do your best, and if you don't get exactly what you want, know that you're still enough.
There is so much more to your university experience than a first class degree. If you can find the joy in uni work (yes it is possible) and make it fun, you can work to the best of your ability, knowing that your identity doesn't change based on getting above 70.
You don't have to be busy all the time. This is a constant struggle, but just because you didn't get up at 7am and do 12 hours of uni work, does not mean you've failed. Rest is essential, and something that you, as an extroverted busyness-loving person will struggle with. But learning how to rest well will sooth your soul and improve productivity.
Rest won't always look like sleeping or watching TV shows. Try going for a bike ride and then grabbing coffee with yourself. Try journaling and reading your bible on the top of a hill. Find a hobby you like and have fun with it. Leave time in your schedule to love people, and be available if God is asking you to do something.
Make yourself known to your professors. One day when you need some extra help, or when you get asked what you want to do for your dissertation, having an established relationship with lecturers will be really beneficial. Ask questions at the end of lectures, visit them during office hours, show your passion and they will assist you and guide you in ways you never expected.
Get plugged into a church.
Go on a church search, invest in Sundays, serve whole heartedly. By becoming involved in your church family, you build community, build lifelong friendships and surround yourself with people who are rooting to see you grow. Defeat complacency by being persistent and intentional in getting plugged in!
Finally, don't believe the lie that your time at university is insignificant in the Kingdom. Most degrees are 3 years long, the same amount of time that Jesus spent in ministry. He tells us that through His Holy Spirit, we can do much more. You've been placed in this university, on your course, in your house/halls for a reason.
Don't succumb to the belief that your impact means less than others. Take opportunities to share Jesus and live out your beliefs at uni, knowing that there's a bunch of people praying for you and rooting for you!
You've got the best 3 years in front of you, and by the end of it you'll know Jesus personally, and be ready to take the next steps on His path for you. Take risks, be challenged, be expectant, He's got you.
All my love,
Graduate Viki.
