In August, eight weeks ago, I started attending school at Grace College and Seminary. After talking to some high school friends who go to public schools, I have realized that attending a small Christian school is much different.
One huge difference I noticed was the community. From the very beginning of my college experience, I saw a very welcoming and supportive community. It started with Welcome Weekend. Before moving in, I was able to get a glimpse of every aspect of campus. There were people everywhere and it was a little crazy but everyone was so helpful and kind. It made the whole process easier. Also during the weekend I got to meet with the girls in my hall and the RA's. I was happy to have the chance to get to know them all before we started classes because we could compare schedules and get a feel for how everyone was.
Along with that, I got to meet with my breakout group before classes start. One of our core classes is called Freshman Foundations. Within this class we have these groups of about 12 students led by a student mentor. I really enjoy this group because we are able to talk about school and assignments while also having the opportunity to meet new people, who we may have not talked to before, and learn from an upperclassman.
Classes are another big differences I noticed. Most students, in public schools, start out by taking required core classes. However, I have done some core classes and classes required for my major already! I love this because I was able to jump right into my major and discover if it is really what I want to be doing. Also I love that my teachers always start off class by praying; it's not something you would expect from a public school class but it's definitely a positive. Also the professors are some of the most caring people I've ever met. They genuinely care for each individual student and want to know what's going on in their lives. Public schools might have great professors, but would they stop to chat with students whenever they saw them and pray for them?
Every school has student activities but I feel like the ones my school organizes are some of the most fun ideas there could be while also being positive and good for people. The activities on campus encourage community and service and I think that is such an unique quality for a college. I like to volunteer so when I went to the involvement fair, I limited myself to only signing up for one thing (since I was still trying to figure out my schedule and didn't want to get too involved). I ended up signing up for more but I only joined one. It's called SMM or Sister's Mentoring with a Mission. This organization is a group of college girls who meet with elementary school girls after school once a week and do bible lessons and other fun activities with them. When I first heard about this group I was so excited! I knew this would be something that would give me good experience with ministering children and helping young girls.
One of my favorite parts of college is my dorm. Not really the dorm itself, because it's old and kinda gross sometimes, but the community and girls on my hall. I love knowing that there is always someone I can ask for help with homework, walk to the post office with, or eat a meal with. These girls also are so easy to talk to about anything. My hall has more freshmen than usual but I think that helps us connect more because many of us are all experiencing new college life together. However, the upperclassmen on my hall are amazing too. Almost every Wednesday night we have what's called growth groups. This is kinda like a bible study with the girls on the hall that is led by a student. This is a great way to share what has been on our minds and hearts and be able to pray with someone. We haven't had too many yet but it has already inspired me to want to become a growth group leader in the future.
In addition to a great hall, I also have an awesome roommate. I did not request a roommate so I got paired with someone random. I feel like if you were to do this at a public school, you may get someone who things would just not work out with. However, in my case, I think it worked out really well. We aren't completely to same or completely opposite. We get along well and agree with everything concerning our room and schedules. My roommate is someone who I feel like I can tell her anything and trust she won't say anything to someone else. Also my roommate gives me pretty good advice and is always willing to share her opinion on things with me. Compared to other roommate pairs on our hall, I think our friendship has developed quite quickly. I am so thankful for her friendship and how easygoing she is. I can't wait to continue growing together and I can't wait to create more memories with her and the rest of the girls on my hall. I know they will all become some of the best friends I've ever had.
These are just a few things that I have noticed about my school and things I have enjoyed. I am so excited to continue my journey at Grace and pursue God's plan for me. College can be a scary and confusing time and I am so glad I have such a great community to help me get through it and continue to grow in my faith.
One huge difference I noticed was the community. From the very beginning of my college experience, I saw a very welcoming and supportive community. It started with Welcome Weekend. Before moving in, I was able to get a glimpse of every aspect of campus. There were people everywhere and it was a little crazy but everyone was so helpful and kind. It made the whole process easier. Also during the weekend I got to meet with the girls in my hall and the RA's. I was happy to have the chance to get to know them all before we started classes because we could compare schedules and get a feel for how everyone was.
Along with that, I got to meet with my breakout group before classes start. One of our core classes is called Freshman Foundations. Within this class we have these groups of about 12 students led by a student mentor. I really enjoy this group because we are able to talk about school and assignments while also having the opportunity to meet new people, who we may have not talked to before, and learn from an upperclassman.
Classes are another big differences I noticed. Most students, in public schools, start out by taking required core classes. However, I have done some core classes and classes required for my major already! I love this because I was able to jump right into my major and discover if it is really what I want to be doing. Also I love that my teachers always start off class by praying; it's not something you would expect from a public school class but it's definitely a positive. Also the professors are some of the most caring people I've ever met. They genuinely care for each individual student and want to know what's going on in their lives. Public schools might have great professors, but would they stop to chat with students whenever they saw them and pray for them?
Every school has student activities but I feel like the ones my school organizes are some of the most fun ideas there could be while also being positive and good for people. The activities on campus encourage community and service and I think that is such an unique quality for a college. I like to volunteer so when I went to the involvement fair, I limited myself to only signing up for one thing (since I was still trying to figure out my schedule and didn't want to get too involved). I ended up signing up for more but I only joined one. It's called SMM or Sister's Mentoring with a Mission. This organization is a group of college girls who meet with elementary school girls after school once a week and do bible lessons and other fun activities with them. When I first heard about this group I was so excited! I knew this would be something that would give me good experience with ministering children and helping young girls.
One of my favorite parts of college is my dorm. Not really the dorm itself, because it's old and kinda gross sometimes, but the community and girls on my hall. I love knowing that there is always someone I can ask for help with homework, walk to the post office with, or eat a meal with. These girls also are so easy to talk to about anything. My hall has more freshmen than usual but I think that helps us connect more because many of us are all experiencing new college life together. However, the upperclassmen on my hall are amazing too. Almost every Wednesday night we have what's called growth groups. This is kinda like a bible study with the girls on the hall that is led by a student. This is a great way to share what has been on our minds and hearts and be able to pray with someone. We haven't had too many yet but it has already inspired me to want to become a growth group leader in the future.
In addition to a great hall, I also have an awesome roommate. I did not request a roommate so I got paired with someone random. I feel like if you were to do this at a public school, you may get someone who things would just not work out with. However, in my case, I think it worked out really well. We aren't completely to same or completely opposite. We get along well and agree with everything concerning our room and schedules. My roommate is someone who I feel like I can tell her anything and trust she won't say anything to someone else. Also my roommate gives me pretty good advice and is always willing to share her opinion on things with me. Compared to other roommate pairs on our hall, I think our friendship has developed quite quickly. I am so thankful for her friendship and how easygoing she is. I can't wait to continue growing together and I can't wait to create more memories with her and the rest of the girls on my hall. I know they will all become some of the best friends I've ever had.
These are just a few things that I have noticed about my school and things I have enjoyed. I am so excited to continue my journey at Grace and pursue God's plan for me. College can be a scary and confusing time and I am so glad I have such a great community to help me get through it and continue to grow in my faith.
Me and my roommate Natalee.
A goofy picture of my hall after a not-so-successful game of kickball.
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