As you enter the home stretch of the first semester, you may feel a little out of touch with your faith. Your campus will offer a host of options for you to stay in touch for your faith. If you do not have a faith based, the campus will offer a plethora of options for you to explore. If you are looking for a more formal faith interaction, your campus may host a weekly church service. There may also be a local church that offers special services to the students on your campus. Some services may include a shuttle service, dinners, and scholarship opportunities. If you would like to engage in less formal services explore the student organizations that your campus has to offer. Both of the options provide you the opportunity to continue to develop your faith and stay spiritually connected. Attend meetings and campus events to become more familiar with the values and beliefs of the organization. If your campus does not offer the organization that aligns with your spiritual beliefs, you have the option to create your own organization. Find others with like beliefs and create an organization that will help to get you on target. Creating your own organization is definitely a way you can leave your mark on campus.
Are you afraid to explore faith alone? Take a friend along with you. Ask around your residence hall, perhaps with a classmate, or coworkers. Although branching and exploring religion can be scary, once you arrive you will be welcomed by others excited to share more about their faith with you. As you continue to visit and grow within your faith you will find people with like interests and mindsets.
At this time in the semester, you may be experiencing increased levels of stress as finals are approaching. Some of your peers will turn to substance abuse, some will opt to sleep, others will exercise, and some will give up. As you approach this stressful season of your life, developing and strengthening your faith can aid you in staying calm and peaceful during this time. While your peers venture to find unhealthy ways to manage their stress, you will be able to guide them and offer support to them.
Regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey, your campus will offer you a ways to stay connected and ways you can continue to grow. Explore the options that are available to you on campus or in the neighborhood. Being away at school does not mean you have to step away or lose who you are spiritually; embrace the resources available to you while at school.