University; a time and season where you embrace independence and freedom. You make new friends based on your own value system, put your Jamie Oliver cooking skills to the test, and not forgetting the endless deadlines and unnecessary long lectures that come complete with the package. So what happens after the fresher rush has come to an end and you find yourself in third year where it all counts? What do you do when faced with disappointment and ultimately just want to give up?
Higher education is often a race – the finish line of graduation seems so far away when you’re lining up at the starting blocks and it’s common to see others pull out halfway through the battle. From my experience, I’ve found that remaining focused and meditating on God’s Word is what keeps me running!
Stuck in the blocks
I started my degree in 2012 (seems like forever ago now) and I was completely out of my depth. I still had no idea how to study as A-levels mostly relied on memorising past answers and the syllabus. Of course, in university, there is no such thing as a course specification. I went from being a relatively confident student to one who began to doubt her abilities. I was picking up 2.2 scores and even 3rds in some mini tests. Yet I didn’t know what I was doing wrong. Hearing “first year doesn’t count” brought about some relief, but I was gripped with fear when I realised the following year would go down on my final transcript.
I remember crying out to God after I received a batch of disheartening results. I felt a warm presence surround me. I took the action of asking for my exam scripts back to see where I went wrong and made notes on study technique. Even if you make a false start, there’s still another opportunity for starting the subsequent year with a clean slate.
On your marks…
During my second year, I focused on verses from Scripture. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5) and “Be anxious for nothing 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 minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) I changed my study approach and got my noted down early. I was proactive and read ahead when I could. It’s not just enough to pray, we have to do our bit too. I surrounded myself with encouragement from my church family and friends. Having other people believe in you can help you start to believe in yourself again. It’s also important to offload any concerns and worries to God and wise council.
Go!
Exam period arrived, it was crunch time. I had made sure I had enough sleep and enough food stolen *ahem* taken from home so I wouldn’t have to cook. I prayed before every test, attended revision lectures when necessary and made sure I was continuing to attend church. Making God a priority is key to success. Being a Christian is not just about seeking God’s hand, we need to seek His face.
By the time results came out for first semester of my second year, I was definitely not expecting to see an average of 70%. As I collapsed to the floor, I remembered to thank God for everything. I completed second year with a solid 2:1, which I could not have done without putting my trust in God and reassessing my priorities.
Keep running!
I am now in my final year, filled with renewed confidence in myself and God with increased stamina for this race. As I look at post-university options I know that whatever I do, it is essential to commit my choices into God’s hands. See you at the finish line!
By Chinazum Ukata