If you read my introductory blog post, found at A Little About A Lot you will know how important my faith is to my life. My entire life  surrounds my faith. College is no different. However, college poses many challenges that could become an excuse for faith to weaken in this phase of life. I chose to let this be my driving force. I will never say it is easy, but it is possible! The fact of the matter is I could write books (and others, who more grammatically correct than myself, have done so) on this subject. I am simply going to talk about aspects that have helped me.  P.S. The coffee is just a delicious added bonus, it doesn’t determine success!

Most Important

“You get out what you put in. If you want more, give more” ~ Jeanette Jenkins

Prayer and Bible Study! Time spent praying, and in Bible study, has never been time wasted. Dedicating time to dig into God’s word is definitely an obvious choice, but typically overlooked. This is why I love the quote above. You can’t get out more than you’re willing to put in. The bible is our “answer book” and acronym I learned years ago is the B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth). The Bible is our guideline, as 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us,  16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. God gave us His words, to guide our lives, through anything. Seeking biblical wisdom to carry out day to day life, is so important. I am thankful to have  that scriptural encouragement, for every situation. Another very important detail is being a part of a church. Follow wherever God leads, but absolutely find a church. This provides Biblical instruction, and fellowship with fellow believers, leading me to my next point…

Keep a Strong Support System

May it be your family, friends, people from your church, etc.  You need people willing to love you, encourage you, search scripture with you and pray for/ with you, listen to you, whatever you need! I am blessed to have an amazing support from family as well as my church, which happens to be where many of my friends are! My Sunday School class is a college/ young adults class, so we are all going through the same things or just recently have! At any time day or night I know I could get ahold of at very least one of them, for any need! This is the kind of support to have! I also have a couple of friends that are fellow classmates, and they happen to be dual position, they are that support system, accountability partners, as well as a distraction when we all need a break!

Stay Distracted Enough, to Focus!

I have a semi-short attention span, if you follow this journey long enough, you’ll see what I mean! I have change what I am focused frequently, or I won’t retain, ANYTHING! I focus my attention in spurts. I try really hard to be present, listening, and taking notes for classes, but as soon as class is over, I avoid thinking about that class for a little while, and I typically listen to music. I always have music available to escape! I love K-Love radio station, or a plethora of Pandora stations I have that are Christian music. I doodle the lyrics I am listening to, usually! I have friends who will take time to reflect in prayer during breaks when they aren’t required to pay close attention to homework or a lecture. Get organized! Schedule school time and work, but also schedule BREAKS! Take time to do things you love between classes, lectures, labs, and homework. If you don’t take time to relax, you will burn yourself out. I am an education Major, I 100% believe in the power of education, in every form, but mental health/wellbeing is more important. I personally love being outdoors and any activity that takes place outdoors when I have free time! You have to take care of yourself before drowning in school!  These methods will not work for everybody, but they seem to help me.

Thank you for taking time to read my blog! I hope this encouraged you, to spend specific time caring for and strengthening your faith.

God Bless you,

Danielle Carpenter