Advice for staying Catholic in college?

[Irishmom2]

Lots of good advice already. I agree that you don’t need to be scared, but you do want to be prepared. This is a good book that was made for people just like you.

Disorientation: How to Go to College Without Losing Your Mind

That book will give you an idea of some of the ideas you may encounter on campus and (more importantly) why the Catholic worldview makes way more sense.

If you are sure in your faith and not prone to peer pressure, that will go a long way. I went into college as a generally introverted, timid sort of fellow. So my dorm mates were somewhat taken aback that I steadfastly refused to drink. But I made the decision going in to college that I wasn’t going to get sucked into that “Animal House” sort of college experience. And I wasn’t going to let some random guys convince me to act otherwise. They would make fun of me sometime. I even had a guy offer to buy me a video game console to take just one sip of a drink. But in the end, I earned more respect by not caving into peer pressure than I would have otherwise.

I do recommend seeking out other Catholics, such as at the Newman Center. I think most every non-Catholic college has a Newman Center or Newman Club (named after the great Catholic intellectual John Henry Newman). It took me too long to figure that out, but thankfully I did figure it out and my faith grew a lot as a result. Depending on the college, the Newman Center may be larger or smaller (mine was huge), but it’s the best starting point. You could even give them a call now and let them know you’ll be there in the fall. It’s a great blessing to have other Catholic friends who can assure you that it is not you that is crazy.

Of course, the most important thing you can do is to pray. Pray every day. Go to daily Mass. I started that up in college and I cannot overstate the benefits derived from it. At daily Mass, you’ll quickly find the other students who take their faith seriously. But prayer is key. We need to stay attached to the vine.

God bless you as you begin this new phase of your life. I will say a prayer for you.

Great post, Joe! I didn’t even know there was a book like that! I think a high school senior might be more interested in being handed that book to read than listening to his parents “lecture” him.

 

[EasterJoy]

I’m just finishing up my first year at university (also after K-12 Catholic schooling), and I’ll echo everyone else by saying that going to Mass every week is the single most important thing you can do. Don’t miss once.

Personally, I found the Masses offered on campus to be kind of cheesy, since they were geared for my age group, which I found rather condescending. They were also too late in the day for my taste. Don’t be shy of looking around town for a great parish - I discovered my diocese’s cathedral to be an amazing and inspiring place for Sunday Mass.

This is great advice. Local parishes are happy to have members from the local college or university, especially if they become active members.

There will be many challenges to your faith. Most of them won’t be directed specifically at you, but will dangerously present. I wouldn’t advise confronting them unless you’re certain you can handle them - and even then, sometimes it’s simply not worth it.

Yes. Remember, too, that you aren’t defending the faith if your talking about it opposes the way we are to live it or if the way we live it undermines what we ought to be saying:

*Finally, all of you, be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another, compassionate, humble. Do not return evil for evil, or insult for insult; but, on the contrary, a blessing, because to this you were called, that you might inherit a blessing. For: “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep the tongue from evil and the lips from speaking deceit, must turn from evil and do good, seek peace and follow after it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears turned to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against evildoers.” Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good? But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. **Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. ** For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil. *1 Pet. 3:8-17

But if go to Mass and pray regularly, you’ll do just fine. I think the most important thing is that you’re worried that you’ll lose your faith. That means you already value it, and that puts you in a far better position than most young Catholics starting college, who lose their faith largely because it wasn’t very strong in the first place.

This is so true. I would add this: Notice that Our Lord sent them out two-by-two. Make friends who attend your parish, whether that is the Newman Center or the local parish in the town. Make sure they know how to contact you if you don’t show up. If you know you are accountable and that you cannot be slothful without being noticed, you are less likely to fall to the temptation of becoming lax in your faith when the pressures and time demands of school start to feel overwhelming.

 

[NSFrame]

I was all over the place in college. It was definitely mind-opening, and I had questions that I never thought I’d have. I remember going home for Christmas break my freshman year and going to Confession (my mom’s suggestion of course) and telling the priest about doubts - but the thing about being in that church that day was seeing the crucifix and knowing I could not turn my back on Jesus.

One thing that helped keep me on campus was attending Mass at the Catholic campus ministry (it wasn’t a Newman Center). With all the craziness of being a student - tons of assignments and deadlines and relationship drama - it was a place I could be at peace. We had Sunday evening Masses and I would usually attend those since getting up first thing on a Sunday morning (or cutting out of Saturday afternoon activities) was pretty much out of the question. I believe most colleges have a similar schedule so take advantage of that. It’s also a good way to meet like-minded students, and having the social aspect helps you stay involved.

 

[KendraDZ1902]

Chapters vary. Promise. No matter what their values, creeds, etc. are. There can be a chapter at one university that is known for their academics and philanthropy and at a university 100 miles away, they are known for their major parties and laziness.

There are some chapters of my sorority that I would have NEVER accepted a bid from. Sure, we share the same ritual and the bonds of sisterhood that it entails, but I will only hang out with those “ladies” at conventions. While thinking about having a little legacy one day is nice, I would NEVER pressure my daughter to go suicide. She should choose the sorority for HER and it very well not be the one that I hold dear to me. I would pressure her to rush, though.

 

[SuperLuigi]

As Joe said, touch base with the Newman Center and get to know people there. There will no doubt be varying shades of Catholics, but it should be a good base to rely—if it isn’t let us know.

And tell yourself that you’ll go to Mass on Sunday even though no one is there to tell you HAVE to go.

Aside from that, be on your guard about sexual matters. That’s more pronounced in college because people of the opposite sex are more accessible generally (no parental supervision) and because it’s on more solid secular legal ground.

The drinking can also be a problem for some folks.

Just being aware of the sinful nature of things helps.

Catholic values: you probably will be challenged on this at some point, either by your peers or by faculty and staff.

You know an idea is bad when you have to start making lame excuses for it or the people who have it.

I would suggest though to make the most out of your college experience to develop yourself professionally.

 

[SMHW]

You’ve gotten lots of good advice already.

I’ll second the ideas of looking into local Newman centers/clubs, finding nearby parishes, consistent Mass attendance, and a regular prayer life.

I’ll add one more thing that I found helped me. If you will be in a non-Catholic college then expect that you will have interactions with non-Catholics regarding religion. Expect challenges to your beliefs. Be prepared to hear things that sound attractive on the surface but either contradict your Faith or (and this is even more important) dilute it.

Some of these challenges will come from well-meaning, God-fearing, non-Catholics. Many, perhaps most, will be Christian.

Be prepared. Share your Faith in words that non-Catholics can understand when it makes sense to do so but know when to keep silent. (Recognize when you are in over your head.) Your actions really do speak louder than words.

 

[alphawoman]

I found my faith–and spouse–in university.

These should keep you golden:

1. Never miss Sunday Mass, and try to attend at least one daily Mass. Sit in a different seat each time to meet more likeminded people.
2. Pray the rosary daily.
3. Attend confession frequently–at least one per month.
4. Try to squeeze in some adoration whenever possible.