The church talks a lot about helping transition students into college. We talk much less about the transition out of college. They may feel like they just got settled and now are entering a new unknown land. As they enter this uncertainty, there are many things we can do during their college years, especially senior year, to prepare our students for life after graduation.
As students step into life after college, they let go of the familiar and seek to embrace something new. For the majority of graduates, this time will be exciting while being filled with great uncertainty. They trade in the four years of familiarity for a new reality. Leaving college means letting go of a certain routine, embracing new roles, acknowledging changing relationships, and goodbyes to people we care about. Change is always a challenge.
In this time, it is important to remind them that God is always with them. Through their Baptisms, the Holy Spirit is working through them to share the Gospel wherever they go next. This reminder can help to calm nerves and give the right focus to next decisions.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4-7
We can also help the transition by helping them see their actions during this transitional time as connected to their core beliefs and worldview. Whether acknowledged or not, we all believe in something, value something, worship something. Every day our choices direct us towards something without even knowing it. Are we seeking power, influence, money, pleasure, fame, smarts, good looks? Why? We are seeking these things because of our core beliefs. As a Christian, we can ask ourselves questions such as, Are my actions growing me closer to Christ? How will I prioritize my faith outside of college?
Graduation provides an opportunity for self-evaluation. Campus ministry should be a place to explore and strengthen Christ-centered, biblically founded core beliefs. As students ask these questions of themselves, we can point them to God’s Word for answers. Through the Holy Spirit, we seek to help youth think critically about how they make choices in the transitional time that support their lives of faith and sharing the Gospel.
For students in their senior years of college it is important to talk about the end and finishing well. Some students fully embrace the end of their college experience while others give over completely to “senoritis”. Campus ministries can help seniors finish well by continuing to give them leadership roles and encouraging mentorships for younger students.
There can be encouragement in 2 Corinthians 8:10-11,
“And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.”
Paul’s point is to finish strong. Often it can be easier to start something new than finish well. We have an opportunity for our college seniors to finish strong. College is one of the best opportunities in life to share about Christ. Never in your life will you be surrounded by so many people all at once.
As our college students enter adulthood they face an abundance of choices.
- Where should I live?
- Should I apply for graduate school or enter the job market?
- Which job should I take?
- What is my future with my boyfriend/girlfriend?
- What is my future relationship with my parents? Do I pursue my own path or theirs?
As Christians we should always seek to live out our God given vocations. It is important to spend time with students discussing these questions through the lens of how these decisions will allow me, through the Holy Spirit, to love God and others.
We should help our students to draw near to God, spending time in God’s Word and Sacraments to cultivating a relationship with Him as they make these decisions. As we enter the decision-making process we can use prayer, spiritual counsel, Scripture, common sense, previous experience, personal desires, and circumstances to help with our choice. The choices we make in big decisions are born in many little decisions.
Big questions may be challenging for college graduates. Helping them to take them on well rooted in their gift of faith will help them transition to the future.
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