Dear Student Me: Mark

If you could go back and change one thing about uni what would it be?

What advice would you give your student self?

So often we reminisce on uni life; remembering good memories, cringing at the less wise decisions and appreciating how university shaped us into who we are today. Mollie has asked some recent graduates to write a letter to their student self to provide wisdom and perspective for current students. We hope that they encourage you to have hope, be bold and take risks!

 

Dear student me,

University life is going to be fun, joy-filled, challenging and hectic, but more importantly, it will be one of the best seasons of your life. You will grow and learn so much as a person and although things won’t always be sunshine and roses, it will be in those times where you grow the most. 

Hear me when I say that the drinking and partying lifestyle at university isn’t everything. It will consume you in first year because it’s all you knew on your gap year and this will lead to a lot of mistakes and hurt. But it will be a giant learning curve before you discover a happiness and contentment you hadn’t known was possible as you begin to understand and cultivate a relationship with God in your second year.

Stay strong during the transition of leaving the party life behind to pursue God. 

Friendships will change and even end and it will feel like your world is turning upside down, but God will be with you every step of the way and place a whole new group of people around you to support you and help you rediscover passions you used to have - such as football! Trust me, you will look back and be thankful for this crossroads where you realise what is important to you and what isn’t. 

Remember to talk to people throughout and don’t keep things bottled up inside. Communication is the most important thing in relationships and friendships, and sharing how you’re feeling and what you’re struggling with is not a weakness. This will help you so much when your thoughts run wild and overthinking makes you jump to conclusions. Get yourself a mentor who you can confide in and allow them to speak into your life... it will be a game-changer.

University will bring tough times with heartbreak and sadness but it’s in those times of hardship that you need to stay focused on God, pray, get stuck into His word and show up to church and small group. Know that He has not given up on you. He has a plan for your life and only wants the best for you. Trust in His provision and find comfort in Him and the friends He has placed around you. 

Life with God at university is not all about happy-go-lucky days but more a rollercoaster of challenges, highs, lows, laughter, crying, nervousness, courage, friends, family and love. However, amidst it all will come joy and growth with God, so stay strong and focus on Him.

Love, 

Graduate you

Mollie Chappell

Student Mission Developer

Mollie started student ministry in her final year of university and is passionate about seeing students discover and grow in their God given callings.

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