1 Thing Every Christian College Student Needs to Know

I attended a small Christian college in Tennessee, and my experience there was positive overall. The college’s aim of preparing students to make a difference in the world was admirable. I realize not every Christian goes to a Christian college though—and that’s okay! No matter where you choose to attend college, there’s one thing you need to know that will shape your college experience—and the rest of your life.

Don’t Make It Complicated

If I could only give one piece of advice to Christian college students, this is what it would be: Go to church. It applies whether you’re going to a Christian college or a non-Christian college. It applies whether you’re living on-campus or off-campus. It applies whether you’ve been a Christian for a week or a decade.

I’ve noticed church attendance isn’t a common practice for college students. I’m not exactly sure why, but maybe it’s because they feel like exercising their freedom to not attend church. Or maybe they feel like there are solid alternatives for attending church, like joining a campus ministry, finding a Christian friend group, or watching church services online.

But none of these are equal substitutes for regularly gathering with other believers to worship, pray, and learn Scripture. I realize that going to church might not seem like an important thing to prioritize right now—but if you don’t prioritize it now, you may not prioritize it ever. It’s really easy to get in the habit of skipping church, but it’s extremely difficult to get back in the habit of attending church when you’ve been in the habit of skipping church. And sadly, Christians often fall away from God when they’re no longer in the habit of going to church.

Sustaining Soft Hearts

Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:12-13 NASB1995)

I remember a time in college when I felt insecure about the church I was attending. Even though it was a biblically solid church, I didn’t feel confident that I belonged there. But I continued going there, and I even got involved in the music ministry.

Now I can look back on my experience at that church, and I’m so glad I stayed. It was a warm, welcoming place for me to put down roots for four years and receive spiritual support. God used several people from that church to encourage me, and I don’t regret going there.

If you don’t think attending church is that crucial during your college years, stop listening to the voice of the Enemy. It’s a lot easier for sin to sneak into your life—and ultimately for you to fall away from God—when you’re not regularly going to a church where sin is called out. Your decision to attend or not attend church in college can affect the rest of your life, so I urge you to make a wise decision.