Getting an education isn’t wrong, but thinking about how college might impact you spiritually is crucial—perhaps even critical. Before diving into campus life, take a step back and ask yourself: what kind of spiritual influences will you be exposed to? For example, if someone told me they were planning to attend a large state school, live on campus, and major in liberal arts, I’d be concerned. Actually, I’d beg them not to make that choice. But if that same person considered a local, non-profit Christian college, maybe even online, and pursued a more technical or professional major, I’d say, "Let's pray about it."
College (university) will definitely be a spiritual crossroads for your faith. It’s easy to find yourself drifting spiritually without even realizing it—it happens to most students. Research shows that many Christian students experience a noticeable decline in their spiritual habits as they progress through college. Over time, activities like Bible reading, prayer, and attending worship tend to decrease. In one study, students saw declines in 19 out of 22 areas of their spiritual life, with each passing semester making it harder to maintain those habits.¹
The top struggles reported by college students? Relational conflicts, busyness, and lust. And this is happening at Christian colleges! If students at these schools struggle to stay connected to God, imagine how much more challenging it could be at a non-Christian university.
Attending college isn’t a decision to take lightly. You should talk to your pastor, discuss it with your family, and—most importantly—pray about it! Especially if you want to stay godly. If you choose to attend, you’ll need a solid strategy to keep close to God during those pivotal years. I always encourage people to consider apprenticeships or night schools, which can offer great employment opportunities.
¹ For more details, see the study here.
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