By: Ariana West
Starting my senior year of college online while all my classmates got to be in person for class, was never the original plan. Due to health reasons, I could not start this school year on campus, in person, with my classmates and friends. While this has been difficult, not only mentally but academically, I am hopeful that I will be back at school very soon. However, this hardship has allowed me to grow in my faith and shown me that the Holy Spirit is truly always with us.
When this specific struggle first began I was angry with God and did not understand why he was putting me through such a hard time. My faith has truly been put to the test during these past few months. The Lord has made me realize that if our faith is never put to the test, it will grow weak. Just like if you never use muscle, it will also become weak. Life is a crazy journey. You never know what is going to be thrown at you. My advice is to be grateful and thank God for what you have every single day. Praise him even during your toughest battles.
Psalms 34:1-4 says, “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
While it is important to always praise the Lord, it is also important to live in the moment. My best advice is to get involved in as many school activities as possible. Make as many memories with your friends as you can. If you don’t, you might look back on your college experience and regret just sitting in your dorm room all four years.
To the underclassmen, I would also encourage you to get involved in school events and community. Furthermore, have an open mind. Say YES to potentially scary opportunities. Embrace the newness of college. Don’t be afraid to meet new people, go to new places and accept new challenges. However, never be afraid to reach out for help. While college has a ton of fun experiences, it is also supposed to be difficult. If you need help, reach out to someone, a friend, a professor, a residence assistant, etc. Remember, reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength.
If anyone would like to ask for advice or has any questions that you would like to see in the next issue, feel free to DM the SLATE Instagram @simpsonuslate.
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