The Mountains Are Calling
It’s time to get away with HSM one last time before you graduate. Join us for the Class of 2022 Sr. Trip April 29-May 1! This year we have a huge cabin in the Smokies and plan to be "Gatlinburg Tourists” for the weekend. From great food to local attractions, this will be a trip you won’t soon forget. Register today for the weekend to remember with your LifeGroup leaders, HSM staff, and your fellow seniors!
6 Challenges of Freshman Year
Faith
When considering the faith challenge for freshmen, the three most common outcomes are that students would....
1. Take a dive- fall away from their faith and the church
2. Withdraw to survive- compartmentalize your faith
3. Strengthen and thrive
Face the Challenge:
1. Expect your faith to be tested.
2. Understand what you believe and why.
3. Own your faith and take responsibility for it.
4. Decide how you will respond to faith challenges now. Not to decide is a decision.
1. Take a dive- fall away from their faith and the church
2. Withdraw to survive- compartmentalize your faith
3. Strengthen and thrive
Face the Challenge:
1. Expect your faith to be tested.
2. Understand what you believe and why.
3. Own your faith and take responsibility for it.
4. Decide how you will respond to faith challenges now. Not to decide is a decision.
diversity
No matter where you go to college, most likely, you will face the diversity challenge head-on. You will encounter students and professors who may differ in ethnicity, family structures, religions, and worldviews. Diversity may be something you already experienced in high school. However, it would help if you considered that those you encounter your freshman year would likely be from different places in the United States and around the world.
Face the Challenge: Know what you believe and why you believe it. Be able to articulate the gospel. Learn to listen not only to respond but to genuinely understand the person.
Face the Challenge: Know what you believe and why you believe it. Be able to articulate the gospel. Learn to listen not only to respond but to genuinely understand the person.
time + freedom
Moving into your dorm in August has many implications. None as prevalent than more responsibility paired with less accountability. From intramural sports and late night Cook Out runs to college ministries and actual class schedules. There will be ample opportunity to spend every moment engaged in an activity.
Face the Challenge: Practice time management, the ability to say no, and accountability now while still in high school. Invite a trusted friend or roommate to help you keep boundaries with your time.
Face the Challenge: Practice time management, the ability to say no, and accountability now while still in high school. Invite a trusted friend or roommate to help you keep boundaries with your time.
social
Much like the Time + Freedom Challenge, the Social Challenge is one that you will have to plan and prepare for heading into college. Everywhere you turn, there will opportunities to join a team, club, fraternity or sorority. There is no escaping the social challenge; it's everywhere!
Face the Challenge: Create boundaries for yourself before you step foot on campus. Maybe only join one group your first semester until you get acclimated to the college scene and then add on once you know the rhythm of school. Remember, it's better to add more onto you plate once you have the feel for college. Spreading yourself too thin will have ripple effects on every aspect of your life.
Face the Challenge: Create boundaries for yourself before you step foot on campus. Maybe only join one group your first semester until you get acclimated to the college scene and then add on once you know the rhythm of school. Remember, it's better to add more onto you plate once you have the feel for college. Spreading yourself too thin will have ripple effects on every aspect of your life.
relationships
There is a strong chance that you will meet the person you marry during your college years. For some, that is exciting to think about, and for others, it is terrifying because you are nowhere near ready to be thinking about marriage. And that's ok! Take the pressure off to "get your ring by spring." A few thoughts as you enter college and think about relationships. Make sure that the person you are dating has the same beliefs/values. We have seen so many college students give up their faith to fall in love.
Face the Challenge: Understanding who you are and what you are looking for in a significant other will help when being asked out or asking someone out. Invite someone you respect to speak into your dating relationship. Also, knowing what you believe and why you believe it will be critical in taking a step towards new relationships.
Face the Challenge: Understanding who you are and what you are looking for in a significant other will help when being asked out or asking someone out. Invite someone you respect to speak into your dating relationship. Also, knowing what you believe and why you believe it will be critical in taking a step towards new relationships.
community
As you can see, the interpersonal aspect of college life is enormous! Your community has been chosen/provided for you up to this point. Whether through school, a sports team, or even student ministry, you show up, and people are all around you. In college, things look a lot different. Proximity does not equal community. There will be many people around you in class and in the dorm. However, true community has to be pursued, and many fall into the lie that the effort to find community is too hard.
Face the Challenge: Set goals before moving day. What do you want community to look like for you? Once you know that, develop a plan to make it happen. It won't if you don't! We believe that the best community will come from finding a local church to get plugged into. While researching, look for churches where you will have an outlet to serve. Take the summer before you start college to research churches in your college's area. Reach out to one of the HSM staff. We have contacts at many colleges from former HSM students. One final note. A campus ministry is not a replacement for a local church. It can be a source of community, but don't let it be the only source!
Face the Challenge: Set goals before moving day. What do you want community to look like for you? Once you know that, develop a plan to make it happen. It won't if you don't! We believe that the best community will come from finding a local church to get plugged into. While researching, look for churches where you will have an outlet to serve. Take the summer before you start college to research churches in your college's area. Reach out to one of the HSM staff. We have contacts at many colleges from former HSM students. One final note. A campus ministry is not a replacement for a local church. It can be a source of community, but don't let it be the only source!