Hey UA '20!
Here's some stuff we wish we knew going into our junior year:
"You're gonna be really busy this year. School will be harder, you'll have more friends, and life in general can get crazy. So just stay grounded, don't worry too much, and keep your priorities straight." – Matt Lewis
"Junior year feels like a between time- embrace it! On one side, freshmen come in with big ideas that you once had. But now you’ve honed and refined your dreams. Resist the urge to be cynical or feel superior and instead simply listen and encourage them in the practical steps of achieving their goals. On the other side, you have good friends who have already graduated. Remember all those upperclassmen who listened to you as you talked about your ideas and angst? You’re going to feel like a big part of your friend group is missing. The newcomers don’t know their names or the impact they had on you. But this is your chance to remember the legacy they left behind and continue it. Ask them how they intentionally used their time to invest in others. You are a leader in the BCM this year, even if you don’t feel like you are, because you’re older and have been here before. Use this year to love people well and enjoy being an in-betweener." – Elise Helton
“In the pursuit of holiness, we need to focus on cultivating good fruit, not just attacking the weeds. Both of these activities are vital to our walk with Christ, who is the reason and power behind these aims. 2 Peter 1:3-11 & John 15.” – Mark Henry
"Junior year is one of the hardest years of college, yet one of the most rewarding. School gets stressful and you begin to make decisions about your after college life, but the moments in college are the ones you will remember for years to come. Stay involved in the organizations you care about. The BCM became a place where I could go to destress, laugh and create those unforgettable memories. Remember the friendships you created during your first two years. Those are the people that build you up during the hard times and celebrate with you during the good times. Embrace every moment life throws at you this year and remember that God's plan for you is so much bigger and better than your wildest dream." – Hannah Murray
"Keep relationships with people a priority. It was so easy to fall into being stressed about grades and neglecting friendships over less important things. When I had a "real job" this summer on my own in Atlanta, it was like a preview to life after college, and I realized that what I took for granted and missed the most was having so many amazing, caring people around me. We only get a few years of all living within 10 minutes of each other and not having family/work commitments that take up all of our time. So really I would just say to spend as much time as you can around people and appreciating how much they add to your life!" – Casey Standridge
"Junior year. You’re old and wise now, which means you definitely shouldn’t listen to some guy typing advice from a cubicle while procrastinating work. But AHA! That’s the first lesson; you can learn from anyone and anything if you have an open mind to it. My 1 year old niece taught me how to love in the simplest ways and she can’t even speak yet. Never underestimate what a situation can teach you. “The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.” – Tom Bodett. I don’t know who Tom Bodett is either, but his words have gotten me through some hard lessons in life. Speaking of different seasons in life, another thing I’ve thought about a lot this past year is how important timing is to the outcome of everything we do. Maybe you’re not happy with the friends you have or the job that you work. Maybe you feel like a failure. Sometimes when you’re doing all the right things you just have to put your head down and keep moving towards your goals until some time passes and you come out at the other end of the tunnel. I don’t think I’ll ever get a tattoo but if I did it would be of the mantra, “this too shall pass”. Don’t tell my mom. Life can often feel like a clock and like we’re just not ticking when we should but this should not question our motives or our decision making process. So that’s it, be open to learning new things and know that if the timing guiding your life isn’t precisely where you need it to be its ok, this too shall pass." – Garren Hatley
"Junior year is crazy. You're in harder classes, becoming more involved in clubs and organizations, thinking about post-grad opportunities, and trying to have a social life. Don't forget to take some time for yourself! Take a nap, read some Scripture, grab coffee with a friend, go run -- whatever will recharge you. Your mental health is just as important as the rest of your life!" – Sara Beth Bolin
"With two years left what are you going to do? You're half way through college and have you asked yourself how you've grown? What hurt you the most? What helped you grow the most? Where was God in any of the things you thought of? He was there the whole time. Were you listening to Him in the Spirit in the good and bad or just when it suits you? Find a freshman and tell them about it all. You have two years of knowledge they don't. Share it with them boldly! What good is your knowledge and experience if you keep it to yourself? Don't be afraid of talking to people you normally don't when everyone is together. More times than not, the quiet people are the ones you can learn the most from. Show the incoming freshmen how to be a genuine friend to the less popular people in the BCM. Next year will be your last year, what is your legacy going to be? Who will your legacy be?" – Daniel Morgan
"If you are an engineering or science major, try and get involved with music or arts in your spare time. That way you won't get bored with learning one thing and it will also bring out your creative side. I think everyone can find a creative side if you look hard enough." -- Isuru Nanayakkara
“Junior year is insane and not at all what I expected. It’s exciting bc you’re getting more intense into your major classes but that makes it really easy to get super involved in school and stuff and kinda put some important things low on your priority list (ex. quiet time, friends, church, bcm, etc.) so basically my advice is to make sure you prioritize well. There’s nothing wrong with being excited about the future and setting academic goals and stuff but make sure you make time for the things that are more important or else you’ll have multiple mental breakdowns.” – Kristen Wallace
"Find someone to mentor you. They don't have to be that much older than you, but someone who's maybe a little ahead of you and who truly wants to help you. Some of the most toe-stepping, Christ centered, and life changing friendships and conversations I've had have been with those who mentored me. If you're a junior, continue to be mentored but also mentor someone else. It's a rewarding experience that you won't regret. Lastly, slow down and enjoy the journey, for juniors especially, when you're past the halfway mark in college it can be easy to focus on getting through and graduating to move onto the next thing. I say don't, don't let that distract you from today. Don't let it take away from your involvement in your college ministry or your grades and especially don't let focusing on the future take you from the relationships you've invested in the past two years. It's good to have a plan, but things aren't always concrete. So take each day with a new outlook and try to live today for Christ more than yesterday." – Heath Stewart
Good luck!
UA '19
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