Whether you’re a youth worker, a church leader or a parent, it’s easy to feel intimidated when it comes to preparing young people for university.

What should you do? What to discuss? What if you’ve not been to uni yourself, or not for many years, and are not confident of how to speak meaningfully into they’re upcoming experience? In reality, the most straightforward conversations, insights and support can be helpful, as Rachel found when her youth worker spent an afternoon with her and her twin sister as they prepared to leave home for university...

“At my home church, there are very few young people; my twin sister and I were the only ones going off to uni. Therefore, our youth worker spent an afternoon preparing us.

By taking us through her own experience of living independently, meeting new friends, and dealing with a new daily structure, I not only had some idea of what to expect, but also a lot of assurance that everyone will have their own unique experience of university. Comparing your university experience to others can be unhealthy! She was helpful in breaking down the idealised expectations many of us have of the relationships we will have with their flatmates, course-mates, and fellow Christians at church or CU – you can’t be best friends with everyone, and that’s okay!

Through introducing us to the Student Linkup app from Fusion, she was able to answer any questions we had about different denominations as she guided us through local churches. Therefore, when arriving at uni, I had some idea of which churches I wanted to check out, making the 'Church Search' a lot easier!

At my last church service before leaving, my youth worker presented my sister and I with a ‘Student Survival Kit’, meaning that I not only felt more confident in the practical parts of settling in to uni life, but also very supported by my church family!

I think the most beneficial thing a youth worker can do is to make themselves accessible to any questions the students may have, and most importantly, to encourage us that we will get through uni! The most significant thing I remember my youth worker saying was that God has gone before me and knows what my experience of uni will be, so I can rest in His promises.”

"Be on your guard; Stand firm in the faith; be courageous, be strong."

1 Corinthians 16:13

At Fusion we are so excited to see another generation of young people head out to the UK’s universities this September. That’s why we’re inviting churches to take part in Student Linkup Sunday this year on Sunday 16th September. Like an athlete, it’s important for young people to be in the starting blocks feeling ready and prepared to live their lives for Jesus as they become university freshers. Prep for uni and commissioning them as a church is an essential part of this!

You can register your interest in Student Linkup Sunday here.