College can be stressful. It is the only time in your life when you have the full flexibility to find out what you want to do, what you want to believe and, more importantly, who you want to be.
As students begin navigating college life, they should not let their religious practices take a back seat. If anything, they should explore their beliefs and actively listen to people with similar and differing perspectives than their own.
For some students, living on their own for the first time brings an exciting sense of freedom they may have never experienced before, but it can also cause anxiety. Life can become overwhelming without a sense of direction or purpose driving them through the hard times that college can bring. A religious organization can be essential for students searching for that sense of belonging.
“There’s actually a mosque that’s really close to campus on Nueces Street, and I think having that is a huge support because a lot of MSA, the Muslim Student Association, events are done in partnership with the mosque, and (it is) a place where we call it our home away from home,” said psychology and Plan II junior Saniyah Qazi, who is a member of three Muslim organizations on campus.
Remembering to fall back on your religious beliefs and practices can be essential for students to prosper by providing them with a sense of comfort and familiarity. Religion and religious organizations can provide a place to put the worries of school and social stress aside.
“It’s important not just for college students, but for any person, to answer the question, ‘Who am I? Who is God?’” said Nate Martin, a business junior and executive director of Revive Texas Ministries. “I would say that motivation to maintain religious practice should be based on pursuit of the truth more than anything else.”
While some students may feel disconnected from religion, for others it is a safe space that can offer them a firm foundation throughout college. Having a place that offers a support system and keeps students engaged with their culture can foster a sense of community and a sense of home. Finding a group of people who share your belief systems creates a space at UT that goes beyond the Forty Acres.
“Students should keep a focus on maintaining their faith, not for any superficial reasons … but to figure out what it is they really believe,” Martin said.
UT is a melting pot of different ethnicities, religions and perspectives. There are places for everyone here on campus, regardless of their faith or background. From the Hindu YUVA and the Ismaili Muslim Students Association to the Longhorn Catholic Council, groups here on campus can help students make time for their religion and hone in on fostering personal growth with the support of other students who share similar beliefs. Discovering a group of people who share your beliefs can curb the stresses of college and truly make UT a home away from home. Joining a faith-based organization can help students find their sense of community here at UT.
Petry is a government sophomore from Rowlett, Texas.
