The college environment presents lots of social challenges. What ideas can help me find my way and survive freshman year?

I’ve found some really helpful advice myself from 2 Timothy 2:22-3:1-5. I’ve re-written it in present day language. Hopefully it makes sense and is helpful!

Here is my advice for the incoming freshman class:

• Stay away from the temptation to "sow your wild oats."
• Actively strive to express fairness, faith, love, and the qualities of a peacemaker in everything you do.
• Follow the example of people who pray to God with pure motives.
• Don't get involved in petty arguments or gossip; all that does is create trouble and distract you from your relationship with God.
• Try to help others who have lost their way, in the hope that God will help them see the light of the truth. Eventually, they will realize that they are being manipulated by the devil and awake from their state of hypnosis.
• Know that there are dangerous things that we must be alert to in the future.
• People will be self-centered, selfish, obsessed with money, big-headed, consumed with their pride, use foul language, be disrespectful to their parents, lack self-control, be ungrateful, get distracted by things that do not glorify God, be unkind, break their promises, look down on people who place God first, betray those who trust them, act rashly, and love material pleasures and possessions more than they love God.
• Be constantly vigilant that you do not engage in these activities, and do not hang out with people who have chosen to follow down this path.
• Such people will have some knowledge of godliness, but they will deny its power.

-- Amanda Cartwright, age 18