If you’re reading this, you’re probably starting to wonder about life after the tassel crosses to the left side of the mortarboard. Or, maybe you’ve taken some time off after high school and are feeling the call to go back in.
The problem is, there wasn’t exactly an itinerary stapled to your birth certificate. We walk with God on this tumultuous trek by faith, meaning we don’t always know where we’re going. That makes it a little difficult when you’re filling out the “area of study” section of a college application. It’s intimidating to pick a subject!
But, as the angel Gabriel once said, “fear not” – You’re not the first to wonder what to study. I’m about to graduate from college, but I vividly remember what it was like to lift up my eyes to hills, wondering where my major would come from. Here are 5 things I wish I had known:
5 Insights
1. You Don’t Have to Know Going In.
If you’re a planner, this doesn’t exactly appeal to your comfort zone. And, I get that. It’s scary to take such a big leap without knowing where you’ll land. But, you know what? Even the people who have already selected a major don’t really know where they’re going to be after graduation. In fact, many of those individuals are likely to change their majors. Did you know that most people end up changing their major at least 3 times? And that’s okay! You may think you need a light to shine down from heaven illuminating your path or an audible voice to direct you, but honestly:
“God typically leads by steps rather than leaps.”
2. Classes Help You Find What You Love.
I learned what I love to do through taking classes. You’ll need credit hours no matter what you choose, so let yourself branch out. Sign up for classes that sound interesting to you. Find out what you like. What did you like in high school? God isn’t a harsh taskmaster. He’s put the talents and desires inside of you to help guide you towards what He has for you. I typically find that what I love to do isn’t that far from what God has in store for me. Exciting, right?
3. God Is Not Going To Make You Do Something You Hate.
Fun fact: If you are alive, you are made on purpose, for a purpose. That means there has been a plan for your life since the dawn of time, and what you were made to do is what you were literally made to do.
He wants you to enjoy the journey with Him. You’re not always going to be comfortable or having the time of your life, but if you let Him lead, you will always be fulfilling what He has made you to do. He’s going to lead you according to the desires He has already placed inside of you. You may not know what’s coming, but He does. I know that sounds like a bumper-sticker, but even cliche truths are still truths.
4. It’s Just College.
I know, this goes against all the hype that you’ve heard over the past 18+ years, but college isn’t as scary as it looks. Students like to tell you their horror stories of all-nighters and 50-page essays, but that’s because it’s fun to compare scars. The average amount of pages you’re going to write for a class is around 5 (and that’s with double spacing), especially in your first year. You’ll grow along the way, and professors are there to help you. God puts the tools and people in your path you need when you need them.
5. Finances Don’t Keep Him Up at Night.
A huge concern is going into debt and not being able to pay every semester off. You might not have all the scholarships you thought you would, your parents might not be able to cover your tuition, and you might be worried about financial aid. I get it. I’ve been there. But consider this: If the Lord is calling you to higher education, He’s going to provide you with the means to go through with it. He knows exactly what it will take to get you through it. You just take it one step at a time. That’s not always easy for us as humans, but He doesn’t make a habit of calling us to the easy things.
In Conclusion
Hopefully, you feel better about entering college. If you can’t take this senior’s word for it, look at what Jesus says in Matthew 6.
“For your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you. Therefore, take no thought about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take thought about the things of itself. Sufficient to the day is the trouble thereof” (Matthew 6:32-34, Modern English Version).
Jesus was saying that to the disciples, who were also pursuing a higher education. They were men of little means and little education. They brought with them only what they could carry. But they walked in faith with Christ, learning as they walked from city to city, trusting Him literally with each step. And look at what they became! Look at what they accomplished for Christ. If you step out onto the path He has chosen for you, He will take you all the way.
About the Author
Stephanie Van Wyk
Stephanie received her bachelor’s degree in English from Southwestern Assemblies of God University in 2021. She is passionate about the world of storytelling, artistry in all mediums, and is incapable of resisting any dog over 50 pounds.
