College Advice from my Dad

Back in May my high school principal had a bunch of my family members and close friends write me letters as I prepare for my huge transition to college. I was so encouraged by all that the people who are close to me had to say. So, before I begin this post, I want to thank those of you who wrote to me, again. It really did mean the world!

My dad, who has always been my biggest supporter (like I’m not kidding, I am more than confident that he’s the best dad ever!). He wrote me a letter filled with encouragements and advice. I almost feel like it’d be selfish of me to not share all the truth that he’s taught me (;

Here’s the first piece of advice offered to me in the letter & my oh my it holds so much truth…

“My most important advice is to let God lead your path. Phil. 4:6-7 says, ‘Do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.’ In summary, this verse commands us not to be anxious about anything which includes how you will pass a hard college class, whether you should change majors, who you should date or marry or when is the right time to have kids. Instead the Bible gives us direction to simply pray about it with thanksgiving and he will give you peace. Praying with thanksgiving means you are already okay with God’s answer before he gives it to you knowing that it will be the right one. Prayer will also guide your heart and mind from the temptation to panic and rely only on yourself.”

– Alex Ryals

At the end of his sweet letter, which was totally covered in grace and in truth, he wrote out a list of advice. Some of it is practical, some is Biblical, some made me laugh, and some made me cry a little (woah. I could totally be a poet haha)… anyways, read through these because I have found these tips to be SO helpful (:

• Call home at least once a week and send a text multiple times per week
• Find a church quickly when you get there so you don’t create a new habit of not going
• Keep plenty of snacks in your dorm room
• Don’t expect your roommate to be like your sister right away so give relationships time to develop
• Get involved in college and don’t sit in your dorm room all day
• Don’t wash a new red shirt with your whites
• Keep your stuff on your side of the dorm room or you may have roommate Armageddon haha
• Come home for holidays
• Balance study and fun but lean towards study (:
• If you realize that you aren’t passionate about your major, don’t be afraid to change it. College is great for exploration!
• Beware of the “freshman 15” and don’t neglect your good eating habits!
• Think long and hard before you consider a tattoo because it doesn’t come off
• Start each day off with the Word of God and prayer
• Don’t over-draw your bank account as the fees can be brutal
• Plans change so be okay with changing them
• Pro tip- check the weather before you leave the dorm for the day, might need an umbrella
• Always have a plan B!
• Don’t forget that whatever you put out on social media can’t be removed
• Don’t be surprised if you miss home more than you expected
• Don’t be afraid to fail, but be afraid to not try again
• Don’t neglect memorizing scripture
• Whatever you do, remember where you parked
• Don’t get in a car with someone who has been drinking
• Don’t drink and drive… or drink at all for that matter!!
• For God’s sake, don’t smoke or do drugs
• Try not to eat alone but always with a friend, even if you are making a new one
• Remember that your parents are not trying to be nosy or controlling, we likely just miss you
• Clean your bathroom at least once a month. Your bathroom isn’t a science experiment.
• Set aside time to relax
• Don’t stress over the rest of your life, just what is right in front of you. The rest of your life will reveal itself as you travel farther down the road
• Miss us everyday but not enough that it makes you cry
• Embrace your college experience and soak up every bit of fun and learning from it
• Love others the way God and your family love you

I hope you are encouraged by the advice and life tips from my sweet father. Dad, I love you beyond what words could ever say!

If you have any advice to offer me as I prepare for what’s ahead, please comment down below! I am taking all the help I can get haha

You are so so loved, my friends, and I pray that your heart can be encouraged no matter what you are walking through in your life.

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deut. 31:8