Jake, 22, Law Graduate, Ex-cynic, Recent Christian
*Disclaimer*: I’ve just graduated from Uni, but I still feel like a student, hence I feel I’m totally allowed to write this from a student’s perspective (basically I don’t want to grow up yet…)
Now my parents have always taught me not to skirt around the blaringly obvious questions. In other words – always deal with the elephant in the room! So first things first, who is this random person hijacking the fusion blog…
Long story short: I have recently graduated from Swansea University, recently become a Christian and recently given up my masters to volunteer for a local church for a year. Needless to say, it’s been a busy year.
More importantly though I thought it would be good idea to share a few tips for anyone who has recently become a Christian at uni…
- Be open and be honest… If someone asks you what you have been up to on Sunday, tell them where you’ve been. If you’ve really enjoyed a talk, tell them about it! The quicker you tell someone the easier it is!
- Be confident… Now this one is definitely easier said than done, but when in a position to share your personal story or Jesus’s story – share it with confidence. You have the most incredible story to tell so don’t be shy about it!
- Be genuine… No one likes a fraud. If you play football with the boys on a Friday and go out for a drink after, don’t suddenly pretend you don’t enjoy it just because you’re a Christian now. Live out your faith genuinely, not on a stage.
- Ask lots of questions… Accept that you probably know very little at this time, ask the seemingly stupid questions (they’re not stupid and chances are someone else is thinking of them – now where have you heard that before…)
- Read widely and often… I’m a big reader so this one is pretty personal, but use your new found faith to explore the Bible as frequently as you can! Use it to fuel your new found curiosity and your faith.
(If you have got time, explore some other books as well, I found Lee Strobel ‘Case for Christ’ and ‘Case for Faith’ as a good starting point!)
- Get involved… commit to a local church and get serving. I have loved being a part of a small group, helping out at church events, conferences and getting to know everyone else in the church. Be around and get stuck in!
- Stay where you are…. It could be tempting to just hang out with new church friends so you don’t have to answer the big questions that your ‘old’ mates are asking. Let me encourage you…Don’t stop getting involved. This goes back to that genuine living, don’t give up your position on a sports team, your membership of a society or stop hanging out with mates. Live your faith through what you ARE doing already not what you think a Christian SHOULD be doing. God had positioned you with the friends and family around you right now. Make the most of this great opportunity!
Want to prepare yourself for uni before you go? Check out our Studentlinkup Box
Chloe works for Fusion as Fusion Wales Developer. 
Email her on chloe@fusion.uk.com
Follow her on twitter @chloerichards18
Have a look at Chloe's other blog posts here:
