I remember the time when I was a Fresher going to university. I had been a Christian a month and was really excited about all the adventures and exploits I would get up to.
The first few weeks were just a crazy experience — everyone was up for meeting new people and wanted to go out and party. Even though I was a Christian, I ended up spending a third of my student loan going out, drinking and partying within the first month.
And I distinctly remember ending up in some girl’s bedroom, smoking pot into the early hours, listening to Jane’s Addiction CDs.
As I reflect upon those first few weeks at university now, I am so thankful that my youth leader contacted UCCF on my behalf, gave them my details, so the CU could make contact with me when I first arrived.
Spending time with other young Christians, who lived distinctive, godly lives was a real eye-opener for me. Friends from the CU both encouraged and challenged me and my CU Staff Worker set up a one-to-one for me with someone from the local church. It’s crazy to think how fine the line was between being a Christian at university and just falling away into the crowd.
Calling all parents, grandparents, youth-workers
There’s no doubt that September can be a time of some anxiety for us. We can fear for those whom we send to university, that they may get lost in the crowd and swept away by all the pressures that life away from home can present. Christian Unions are a great place to be supported and grow as a Christian. Our hope is that young people going to university will be welcomed by a friendly face from the CU and encouraged to live Christ-honouring lives and, very importantly, be introduced to a local church where discipleship and mentoring can take place.
School-leavers’ link-up: http://www.uccf.org.uk/freshers
This year we’re launching a new website, specifically aimed at helping school-leavers think through some of the issues they’ll face when going to university. Here they’ll find short testimonials, helpful advice and videos tackling some major issues for young Christians. Most importantly they can register their details to link up with their CU. Please encourage school-leavers to go onto the website and register, so that the CU can make contact with them, help them settle in and find a local church quickly.
Making student life taste great
We also want to put something useful into their hands before they get to uni, which is why we’re producing a Student Cook Book, in order to make sure they’re well fed spiritually and physically. Here they will find top tips about university life, as well as some basic recipes to keep them from going hungry in their first few weeks! Both the booklet and the registration process are completely free. So, go to http://www.uccf.org.uk/freshers and register details of school leavers now!
Pod Bhogal,
Head of Communications, UCCF
with Jonathan Greenaway,
Media Producer, UCCF
