For you from me, free: Many of you reading this article probably have no idea who I am. I’m a senior art major who’s just as tired and stressed as the rest of you. I wanted to write a note about what I’ve learned during my time here and what I can maybe pass along before I graduate in a few weeks.
As I sit back and wallow in sentiment (something I’ve been doing a lot this year), I first think about how proud I am to be a part of a student body that identifies as seeking to live for Christ in all ways. I think about how even though this campus is small as a pea, I can watch the sun rise and set from a mountaintop for four years and it never gets old. I think about how much I’ve learned from getting to know so many people and how I took anything from a sociology class about family dynamics, to a weepy art history class about women, to accounting 101. I remember some of the best weekends I had were trips to my roommate’s hometowns or camping trips with my hall. I remember moving off campus and wishing I had stayed. I also remember Junior year being so busy that I barely slept...but it was still my favorite.
This isn’t an advice column, but I do want to share some things I’ve learned that I find invaluable:
Please take care of yourself. This will sometimes mean removing yourself from people whom you enjoy but who aren’t helping your mental growth. Get off Instagram for awhile and take a day off school, ask a teacher to suggest a book they think you’d like, be nice to people, take an art elective, use less plastic. Covenant is a lot of fun but don’t forget that you’re here to be a student first, so work hard and be intentional. You can’t afford to be consistently lazy while you’re in school. We’re blessed to be here, remember that to whom much is given, much is expected. We are surrounded by a community of believers called to continually live a life that reflects Him. But who knows, maybe instead of being encouraged in Christ, you’ve found it’s easy to be lazy in your faith… Keep praying. Don’t forget that prayer works. I could say so much but I want to leave you with my favorite bible verse, Philippians 4:5-9. “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (and then my favorite part...) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me (the apostle Paul), or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”