I was one of those people who had no idea where they were going to go to college their senior year of high school. It felt like (almost) everyone around me knew where they were going and what they were gonna do. And that overwhelmed me so much.
To be honest, when I walked onto my (current) college campus, I did not get ‘the feeling’– we were actually late to the tour and a bit stressed out. And when I first got to the city of my college, it was not the most welcoming, homey place. Instead it was surrounded by used car lots, run down restaurants and lower-income homes.
Maybe you’re in the same position I was: trying to decide on a college, feeling stressed out about your decision and trying to seek guidance. I pray that this post can encourage you and God will use these words for His glory!
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I toured colleges throughout my junior and senior year, applied to 5 of them, got into all of them… I didn’t see any closed doors or red flags and no opportunities came about. There were so many options, but I didn’t know which one to take.
Society makes choosing a college such a big deal, which it can be, but at the same time, you do have the option to switch schools, switch majors, move back home, take a gap year, etc. Don’t forget that! Although this decision holds so much power and is probably the biggest decision you’ve had to make so far, don’t lose hope and don’t be fearful.
For me, I sought God in this time and looked to Him for the answer because I really wanted to go where He was calling me… and I had nothing else to do. In all honesty, I did not pray as much as I should have, I worried too much about the situation instead of leaving it in God’s hands, and I tried to do what I could in my own power. And I regret that, but I’m very thankful that God showed me where to go, even though I did not fully surrender the process to Him.
I kept asking Him to give me a sign. But I felt like He wasn’t hearing me and it was quite frustrating. But looking back on it, I see it was because I was confining Him to what I wanted and what I thought was best. I think so often we have our own plans and desires set in place for God and we want Him to act in our timing– instead of seeing Him as an almighty Creator who knows way more than we do and who has a greater plan than we could expect or even imagine.
One night when I was thinking about college, I had that thought that if I went to the Christian university that at least my faith would grow… and the seed was planted from there. I ended up staying a night at that university and I had such peace, when normally I would worry like crazy about things like that. That peace was from God and I was so calm stepping onto that campus. In my time there, although the night wasn’t perfect, I had the eye opening opportunity to experience a community of girls in one of the dorms– something that I was craving for and looking for in my future college which was something that really caught my attention. I even received a wristband with my favorite bible verse: Romans 8:28– ‘we know that all things work together for the good of those who are called according to His purpose’– which brought me so much comfort.
As I started to look more into this school and pray about it, things started to line up. The price was more affordable for my family, they took some of my early college credits, the distance and location was perfect in relation to my hometown, and the list goes on. All the pieces were starting to add up. When I sent my first deposit and confirmed my acceptance in the middle of March, I had so much peace about it.
Now being here, a little more than a month into college life, I can say this has been one of the best decisions I have made (after following Christ). I am absolutely in love with my school and feel like God is really at work in my life and those around me. From my roommates, to dorming situations to classes to meeting friends, God has been SO good and I am experiencing so much of His love. I can’t imagine life without this precious gift of college and the time I have spent here.
I want to encourage you to be open to where ever God wants to take you, for whatever He has in store for you. Be a vessel for Him, available for His work. Lay your worries, the stress, and the decisions in His hands and see where it goes. He will never let you down, instead, He will show you where to go and He will be with you through it all.
God wants to use people in public universities, in private universities, in Christian universities, in community colleges, in gap years, wherever. Don’t limit Him to your expectations or plans. For we serve a God who exceeds expectations and abundantly blesses us. If you surrender your plans to Him, even just a little bit of your heart, He is sure to provide and lead you.
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.” Psalms 37:5 ESV
I would love to pray for you if you are going through a similar time of decision making. I would love to hear more about your experience, answer any questions or even just chat about life! Leave me a comment below or send me an email 🙂
Love, Ainsley
Ainsley hope Blog 