A Different Report: Holiness is Possible in Campus by BooksbyMbali

1 A Different Report: Holiness Is Possible in Campus A Second Edition Mbali Masuku

Reviews for A Different Report: Holiness Is PossibleinCampus

Being part of this project has been nothing but an absolute pleasure. Having been a tertiary student myself, I greatly admire the work Mbali Masuku is doing in trying to encourage tertiary students to uphold their values whilst in campus. It is no secret that tertiary can be a biggest disruptor to a student value system, the freedom of being away from home ultimately comes at a price. But there is hope and that hope is a stream from gazing your eyes to God, remaining true and faithful to your Christianity values and resisting the urge of temptations. This is indeed a wonderful project, big ups to the author.

Sibusiso Magagula Editor

3 Table of Introductioncontent 7 Chapter 1 what is a campus 8 Chapter 2 tertiary benefits 13 Chapter 3 staying on camp 17 Chapter 4 challenges faced by tertiary students 20 Chapter 5 how to overcome the challenges 25 Chapter 6 staying off camp 30 Chapter 7 challenges faced by off camp students 33 Chapter 8 challenges faced by Christian students 37 Chapter 9 turning your life around while already in campus 42 Chapter 10 how to live holy in tertiary 45 Chapter11 testimonies 50

Disclaimer

Information shared in this book is meant to encourage, inspire, educate and give hope. It is not a substitute for quality professional advice. The use of information shared herein is to the reader’s own discretion and risk. Neither the author, contributing author and editor, publisher can be held liable for any loss, claim or damage arising out of the use, misuse, suggestions made in this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without any prior written permission of the Author.

5 Dedication

We grow because we charter new frontiers. We grow because we rummage the field to create a path for the followers. We grow because family and Christian values are instilled in our upbringing. To my loving and caring mother, I dedicate this book to you, without your love and support, I would not be the person that I am today. Thank you Mom. To the SCM. You guys are my family away from home. I appreciate you. In honour of: Our late brother, Africa Philiso Tsabedze, former SCM chairperson. He was a brother and a friend. He was also a great leader who had the people’s interest at heart. He always encouraged Holiness.

Foreword In this present day where lawlessness, immorality and all manner of reckless living seems to be the order of the day, a norm and a fashionable lifestyle, it is comforting to have a young person write on the subject of living a holy life especially in the campus environment where morality is not a paramount virtue and all moral convictions are shaken. Unless we derive pleasure in ignoring the truth, we cannot deny the fact that there is usually a great falling away from holiness when young people set their feet on campus. It is for this very reason that I thank God who has given Mbali the wisdom and insight to pen down this masterpiece. After spending five years on campus, I can say from experience that this is the greatest teaching on how one can maintain a standard of holiness on campus according to the Word of God. The diving truths in this book will change not only your mind set toward holiness on campus, but if you allow the teaching to sink into your mind, body and spirit, it can truly change your life. I truly commend Mbali for a job well done in writing this book. I pray that it brings moral rebirth to everyone who reads it. - Hlelolwenkhosi Mamba (Author of The Youth of Integrity)

7 Introduction The purpose of this book is to help the students enrolling at tertiary to guide their spiritual life and help them to live a Holy life despite all the challenges in campus. We have testimonies from different students who experienced the campus life and were able to live the Holy life throughout their tertiary Manyjourney.people tend to believe that campus is not an ideal place to practice holiness and they have evidence to support their beliefs. However, this book is here to help you maintain a holy life regardless of what people believe. It will enlighten you about the challenges faced in campus, whether you live on campus or off campus and how you may overcome them.

It is about leaving home, your family, your comfort zone in pursuit of a piece of paper that validates an ability to perform a certain task and better comprehend the environment we live in. In that process, we are exposed to a completely new different setting, a campus. It is safe to say a campus can either make or break you. In a campus you taste freedom, smell the scent of desire, feel the need to belong, see the future as a bright morning star and

The word campus is associated with a tertiary vicinity of a higher education school. Accordingly, a quick Google search definition of campus indicates that this is not just a learning environment, but also a meeting place, a stomping ground for sports, culture and relaxation and a venue for unforgettable events. The above definition is mainly to guide and give you as a reader and appreciate the setting of this book and the ecosystem in which it unfolds in.

8 Chapter Definition1ofcampus

What is a campus?

Going to tertiary is a lot more than just for the attainment of a professional qualification either being a certificate, diploma, degree and or masters.

hear the noises whispering in your ear telling you that, ‘man this is it, you have arrived!’ In that very moment, the journey towards your dreams intensify.

Remember, we conceive dreams from a young age, waking up every morning to attend school with wide beaming smile hoping one day to become a Dr, Teacher, Police Officer and so on and so forth. As you continue to charter this journey, how you walk or act will be adjudged by a convocation ceremony at the end of it. To many, this is the beginning of their end and to some this is the one shot in life they needed.

To the God fearing students this is an ultimate test of Campusfaith. life can be exciting as much as it can be challenging at times. We are called to overcome, as warriors of the faith we find great pleasure in overcoming challenges that test our faith and belief system. Again, tertiary may require a change of environment as you continue with your studies. Before you start rejoicing the freedom you are about to get, prepare yourself for the problems that will spring up during your campus life. A transition to campus life is a huge milestone for students without boarding experience. With a significant amount of freedom, students are still expected to take charge of their life, act maturely and deliver academically.

Someone may be wondering if the book is only for those who live on campus vicinity. The answer is no. Campus includes all the buildings of a college or university including lecture halls and other buildings. So, whether you stay on camp or off camp you still have to maintain a holy life. Just in case you are wondering the meaning of staying on camp and off camp, let me simplify it for Styou.aying on campus, is when you stay in the school hostel whilst staying off camp is when you are renting your own apartment or maybe staying at home but outside the school premises while attending the college or university. Later, we will look at the advantages of living on camp and off camp to help you decide where you want to live.

Campus life or tertiary life is not the same as high school life. Here are a few areas on how it changes: InFreedomtertiary you will not get into trouble for missing a class, late coming or not doing your homework unlike you would in high school. This level of

11 independence is absolutely amazing; however, you must learn to thrive on your own. This freedom comes along with greater accountability.

InResponsibilitytertiary,you are responsible for your own success. It is your duty to make sure you go to class; you do your assignments and study. No one is going to make you do it, except yourself. There will not be parent meetings called because you are not writing your assignments. You just have to do what is right for heard that tertiary is harder than high school, and you had better believe that. One semester of tertiary study is equal to a full year of high school study. Most lecturers do not have the time to make sure that everybody is on the same page so you have to take some good notes and make sure you do not fall behind because there is no time for revision on tertiary and the course will definitely not slow down because of you. Time spent in class You can liken the time spent in class at high school to a full time job. You spent about 7 hours in school

YouWorkloadyou.haveprobably

12 each day; however, you can expect to spend half that time in college. This might seem like a holiday at first however you will come to realize that deadlines in college creep up quickly.

TertiaryBenefits Going to tertiary is not only about getting your diploma or degree, it comes with many other benefits. We will discuss a few of those. Career choices It is true that most of us enrol in tertiary with an idea of future career prospects. However, one cannot overlook the fact that some applied for a course they qualified for, without a full understanding of what exactly it is about. So concisely, they do not have a clear understanding of the modules they will study, the career paths and whether their passions are aligned with what they are studying. If this happens to you, there is no need to worry before you start learning, your course will be explained to you and the career choices available. Even if you had limited information about that particular course, you will get to learn more about the course from the Lectures concerned and you might even find the appealing aspect of your course. Therefore, along your course you will get more insight and more careers along the way. This will give you an opportunity to figure out which career you would really like to pursue. You might even be motivated to further your studies

13 Chapter2

You have probably heard the saying that “your network is your net worth”. Tertiary offers an opportunity to converge with different people with distinctive cultures and backgrounds, this will teach you to live with diverse people with distinct cultures and peculiar personalities and help you understand and accept people as they are. Beyond friendships, these connections will come in handy when you enter the job market. Often not, regardless of your skills, you must know the right people to secure employment. People often get jobs based on

14 postgraduate to achieve the career path you chose to CollegeGreatfollow.opportunitiespresentsgreat

opportunities and you should not let them slide through your fingers. An opportunity of a lifetime might flash before you, be ready to grab it and make good use of it. It may be the conception of your great future. Most courses require you to do practice or go on internship. If you are lucky enough to secure an internship in a reputable company make sure you bring your A game, they may offer you a permanent job after Networkinggraduating.

recommendations made by friends; the friends you make in college will help you, one day they may even recommend you to their employers if there is a Teachesvacancy.you to become independent

Gaining independence is part of tertiary life. It is not just a chance to live away from family; it challenges your views about life. Having space and time away from a familiar environment allows you to mature as a person and reflect upon who you are and what you want out of life. You will also learn important life skills that will help you later in life as you enter adult Learnhood. life skills There is no denying the fact that tertiary is demanding. You must balance between your studies, your spiritual life and your social life. To do this, you need to master certain skills such as time management, budgeting, and working with others. You will not only need these skills in tertiary, they will also come in handy when you start applying for a job. Tertiary will also improve your communication and analytical skills, which will be beneficial in the workplace. Higher education will teach you to see

16 the bigger picture and be able to analyse situations better so that you can become a problem solver.

One of the many advantages of staying in campus is the ability to be closer to the Library. The library is a greater need to tertiary students. It is the perfect place for studying and provides the ambience necessary to inject your mind with new information either for the preparation of exams or just to stay abreast in your studies. In some instances, tertiary institutions have made it a point to provide free internet connection to properly conduct key research for assignments and projects. On campus, you can attend SCM services

17 Chapter3 Whystayoncampus? Perks of staying on campus

Most SCM services takes place in the morning and evening when it is not time for classes so as an on camp student you have the advantage of fellowshipping with other Christians, which put you in a better chance to grow spiritually and live a holy life.

Thehousekeepingonlything

Study groups eliminates procrastination and creates more opportunities for critical thinking and increase individual achievement. It is important to have study partners. Sometimes you get group assignments therefore; you can effortlessly meet with your group members after classes or any other time suitable for you and your group members.

Easy walking distance

The last thing you need is to spend time commuting to make it to class on time. In campus, students often prefer the convenience, to get to class. Even if you oversleep which obviously requires discipline, you can always hurry up and attend your lecture. There are no chances of missing classes because you could not catch a taxi, or you did not have transport fare. You have enough time to study since there is minimal you have to do is clean your room and wash your clothes. Cleaning the room is no big deal since you can do it in turns with your roommates and it will not take much of your time since the room is not that big. You have the privilege of joining study groups

There is less to worry about In campus, you have free housing and it is furnished so you do not have to worry about buying and moving in furniture. You do not stress about monthly rent payments and utility bills. You also do not stress about grocery shopping since most campuses provide meals for on camp students. Active social life Staying on campus will allow you to meet more people and establish more friendships. In your dorm, there will always be someone to hang out with. You will also be aware of activities happening on campus and might be interested in getting involved. On campus events There is quite a number of events to participate in on the campus. It is up to you which and how many you partake in. Student Christian movement (SCM) is one of the events in the campus, it is where students fellowship together to pray and worship God. As a new student in campus, uphold your values and be proud of who you are and your background. The SCM is an inter racial / denomination movement and you will find the true sense of belonging as they share the word of God.

20 Chapter Challenges4facedbytertiarystudents Campus life comes with its challenges. A lot of energy may go trying to make sense of the new environment. You may feel confused or bewildered from time to time. Even so, you have to overcome them because you have the ability to do so within yourself. This will not only help you remain steadfast in your faith, but it will ensure good academic performance as well. Some of the challenges may include promiscuous behaviour and some drug use. You must be mature, make wise and responsible choices, and be aware that others may not engage in the most constructive behaviours. Sometimes roommates will bring their partners into the room. Some students may even talk like “everyone else is doing it”. Keep it in mind that this is just their perception rather than reality. You will be confronted with different people from variety of backgrounds. There are cultural differences: racial differences and differences in sexual orientation, religion, values, and lifestyle. It may feel overwhelming to start- over with new people and it may be hard to make new friends. It also gives you a chance to develop a new identity.

There will be feelings of acceptance as well as rejection. Coping with new ideas, new people, and possibility of rejection takes a lot of energy. Students dress differently than in high school. Some have body piercing and purple hair. As your adolescents explore their identity, they may look radically different. Time Tertiarymanagementisacademically challenging. During your first year you will be juggling many new experiences, while many of these new experiences are exciting, they will challenge your time management skills and academic adjustment. For many, college requires much more effort than high school classes did. Unlike most high schools, often pack two years of content into one year. Besides classes, some students have other activities that need their attention. Even if you balanced a full course of extracurricular activities at high school, in college you alone are responsible for deciding what your schedule will look like and managing your time accordingly. At times, it seems impossible to stay on top of it all.

Establishing new connections and spending time with classmates and roommates is important. However, spending too much time together can be challenging and conflicts may arise. Having a roommate is most people’s first experience living with someone who is not related to them. Getting along with your roommate can enhance your experience. You get an instant friend, someone to confide in and keep you company during your first time away from home. However, since many colleges randomly assign roommates, you also run the risk of

Juggling a job, modules, relationships, and other extra curricular activities is extremely difficult. Many students try all of these activities all at once and end up not getting enough/ proper sleep. Without proper rest, students are vulnerable to physical and mental health problems. Social problems If you are lucky enough, you will make new friends.

Spreading yourself too thin Let us not overlook the fact that we come from different backgrounds some students will have to look for jobs to buy books and other necessities.

23 being matched with someone you find challenging to live with or do not relate to right away.

Roommates often have different lifestyles, values and ways of doing things. A roommate can be particular, messy, reliable, unreliable, assertive, helpful, noisy, confused and complex to live with. Some students find it challenging to live with a new person. For others it will be easy, and friendships will RelationshipsRelationshipsemerge. are good but they can be overwhelming. Sometimes they take a lot of time and begin to encroach on your education. Well, there are difficult times in every relationship, which can distract students from schoolwork and drive some even further into depression. In addition, people have the mentality that when you leave college you must leave with two certificates; one for graduation another one for marriage, which tends to put a lot of pressure on especially guys. They will be proposing love to every girl they see on campus which in turn ruins their reputation.

Financial problems Financial predicament is one major issue faced by tertiary students. It is more of a dilemma such that some students lose their values while seeking to earn money. In some campuses, they do not provide you with food, at the same time you are prohibited to cook in campus. This means you have to buy food daily and a lump sum of money is required in order to afford that. Some parents cannot afford to cater for that, so a student has to hustle in order to survive.

ItDebtsisso easy to get into debts in campus. If you need something while you have no cash at that moment, and it is available on credit you will definitely take it. Having to pay for it later will be strenuous. Sometimes we are forced into debts because we have no choice. However, that does not change the fact that debts can be very depressing. Knowing that you owe someone does not sit well and does not make you comfortable at all.

Howdoyouovercomethechallenges? Solutions to the challenges

25 Chapter5

Time Knowmanagementyourlimits;if you cannot multitask, it is wise to specialize on one thing. It is worth it in the end. As much as the purpose of college education is to learn as much as you can, that does not mean studying all the time. It is important to schedule time for fun and to take breaks to keep your mind fresh and clear. Set some structure by giving yourself specific study hours, setting some goals for time management and sticking to them. Moreover, do your best to eat well and get enough sleep. Have a daily routine an excellent way to schedule your time is to have a daily routine. Just plan your day from the moment you wake up until you sleep and try to follow that routine until it becomes a habit. Do not forget to include breaks in your routine not just for resting but to cater for unplanned events that may surface during the day. You are becoming a young adult now so do not be someone who goes wherever the wind blows. A routine will help you get

26 things done on time and it will help you to be productive and encourage self discipline.

Gooddisagreeing.communication practicing direct communication will help you both in good times and in bad times. Even if you get along with your roommates, there is bound to be a conflict there and there. Handle conflicts with open communication. If you get upset communicate it to your roommate, I

Social Establishproblemssomerules at the beginning make your preferences known from the start, so that you and your roommates are clear on what to do to avoid conflict. Some residence halls even require roommates to write up a roommate contract to put your rules in writing. Perhaps this is something you can do with your roommates as a fun introductory exercise and pin it may be on your wall. This will give you something to help find a solution that works for everyone if you happen to find yourselves

Spreading yourself too thin Decide what is important. Prioritize and schedule events, games, meetings, social events, and studies, accordingly. Also, be aware of options when getting a job, get a job that will fit into your schedule.

27 mean you cannot expect your roommate to be a mind reader. Be careful with your words and use a respectful tone. Such communications get better reception and ultimately a better response than if you just Compromiseattack.whenever

Relationships- relationship advice is hard to give, since the solution varies from case by case basis. Establish a clear communication of your needs and expectations from the outset. Financial problems Now that you are going to college, you will be in charge of your financial affairs. You will now have more freedom to decide how to spend your money. However, with that freedom comes along great responsibility to spend wisely.

you are dealing with the wants and needs of other people, you will have to compromise. When it comes to doing chores around the room, requesting privacy, compromise is crucial. Compromise does not mean giving in to someone’s entire request; it means coming to a mutual agreement. So, utilize positive communication, and talk through the things you and your roommates differ on until you reach a compromise.

For textbooks: you should not buy brand new textbooks because they are expensive. Rather go for used books. Approach those who are in second year of your course and ask them to sell to you theirs. It will be much cheaper, and you will save a lot of money. Alternatively, and much preferably, get soft copies, just download them and if you cannot find some of the books online, you can always borrow a fellow’s hard copy and scan it. Fortunately, unlike high school, in tertiary you can bring a gadget to class so a hard copy is not a necessity in that way you will save a lot of money because tertiary textbooks are Anotherpricey.way to manage your finances is not to leave cash lying around, put your money in a safe place. Also, be sceptical to those who want to borrow money from you. Before you lend your money make sure the person you are lending will definitely bring it back. Do not just lend to anyone because you might regret later if they do not bring it back and that might be the time you need it most. Budget this is the key part. You should not just spend your money anyhow, learn to budget. Calculate your total expenses against the total income you receive maybe monthly, and make sure you do not exceed your budget when spending. Do

29 not buy something you have not budgeted for lest you grow bad money habits that may be difficult for you to break and may end up affecting your adulthood. Stick to your budget and have financial discipline. This will help you not only in tertiary but even postgraduate when you start working. In your budget, it would be wise to include savings just in case you want to buy something a bit costly, so that you do not spend your monthly allowance all at once and be left with nothing to cater for your other needs. You should budget for entertainment too, entertaining yourself is not a bad thing at all but just do not go overboard. Lastly and most importantly, in your budget you should include emergency. You ought to have back up cash always in case of emergency. Lastly, avoid getting into debts. Do not be someone who likes credit, actually, credit is spending more than you have. I would advise you to accept and be content with what you have. Debts can be very stressful and depressing so do your utmost to avoid them.

StayingOffcamp Holiness should be maintained by both on camp and off camp students so let us look at the benefits and challenges of living off camp.

Benefits of living off camp PrivacyPrivacy enables you to think and act as you please without unreasonable and unfair control by others. Sometimes you just want to get away from everything and everyone. Some people value their privacy and they are not comfortable sharing their room so off camp is perfect for those people. Alone time As a tertiary student, sometimes you will feel overwhelmed and you will need space to breathe. It is good to have your own room you can always escape to. Take time to be alone and do some thinking or just relax. Sometimes you get lost along the way so you have to take time to find yourself; you

30 Chapter6

Access to your own kitchen and eating meals of your own Therechoiceisnoset menu as if on campus, you make what you feel like eating anytime and there is no specified time for eating. Cooking your own food also help avoid food allergies and sensitivities, it can also improve your cooking skills. Adult life experience When living off camp you will have more responsibilities and choices to make this helps prepare you for the adult life. You have to learn how to manage your finances since you have bills to pay.

31 cannot do that while surrounded by people you need to be alone. Being alone also gives you an opportunity to plan your life and it helps you to build mental ThereFreedomstrength.arenorules, and no one is watching you off camp, so you have the freedom to live your life as you please. For example, if you decide to take a part time job where you work at night no one will give you trouble for coming back in the late hours. You will not have to follow any rules established by others, but you have the freedom to set your own.

32 You may call this experiencing the real life, where there is no parent to help you make choices, to watch how you spend your money, when living off camp you learn to be more responsible, which is a good quality to retain.

33 Chapter Challenges7facedbyoffcampstudents Off camp challenges Finance is the number one challenge faced by off camp students. Firstly, they have to furnisher the house, then they have to rent, buy food, electricity and so on. This is a lot of money compared to what you need on camp. Firstly, as an off-camp student, I would advise you not to go for the latest design furniture. Just go to second hand shops you will get fine quality furniture there. This is not time to flash your lavish lifestyle just go for simple and inexpensive. You can also use the financial solutions written above for on camp Rentstudents.as an off camp student who stay far away from home it means you have to find a rental house. Usually the challenge here is that rent is high in the houses nearby your school so you opt for those that are a bit far from school, which in turn develops more challenges that we will also look into. Some students bargain and rent a big house where each student gets a room. So usually they share the rent

Lastly, security issues, if you come back from school a bit late, walking a long distance alone is dangerous.

The right way to deal with this is to use a transport in the morning so that you arrive at school on time and not exhausted. Then you can walk after school to

34 and electricity costs. This also causes dispute among the housemates if one student fails to pay his or her Ashare.solution

to this challenge is to strive to find an affordable house so that you do not spend all your money on rent or end up failing to pay rent. If you decide to share, it is better to share with people you know and trust and people with whom you understand each other. This will help if one fails to pay his share, then you can reason without fighting and make a plan together maybe cover for him and he will pay you back when he is in a better financial Asposition.wementioned

above that renting a house far from school is a complication itself, here you have to travel a long distance to school of which by the time you reach school you will be exhausted chances are slim to grab everything taught in class. Some have to catch a transport, which also increase expenses.

35 save transport money. About security, if you see that now it is late do not walk alone tag some friends and walk together as a group or ask some to accompany you for the sake of safety. Inability to access the school library and internet- if you stay off camp it is difficult to access the library for studying, research and group studying. It becomes perverse to do your assignments because sometimes you need to access the internet so if you have no data then it becomes impossible to do your work. It is also challenging to study alone in your house because you easily fall asleep. It is best to go to the library during the day when you have free periods and do your study, research, assignment and so on. Make it a point that before leaving school each day you go to the library even if it is for thirty minutes this will help you in the long Itrun.is delicate as an off camp student, to access SCM services especially those that come about in the early morning and the evening services. This can affect your spiritual life if you are a God-fearing person, since you will lack fellowship with other brethren.

Isolation is not such a bad thing however if you hate being isolated you can make friends with other off camp students especially those who stay not far away from you. You can hang out on your own time and if you are doing the same course, you can even study together.

You should consider attending the evening services and ask fellow brothers or fellow sisters to accompany you after services. It is very necessary to attend those services because they are vital to a Godfearing student in college. If you want your faith to survive tertiary make sure you always fellowship and be prayerful. Above all seek God more and He will guide you. It is also ideal to have friends who attend SCM who can show up at your house any time; this will help you to think twice before doing something you are not supposed to do as a Christian.

Isolation living off camp could cause you to feel a sense of detachment from your college and you may not be able to make as many friends as you will not be able to be involved in on camp activities.

37 Chapter Challenges8facedbyChristianstudents We have looked at the general challenges to be expected at tertiary but now let us look specifically at those faced by Christian students. Christian students face a particular set of challenges, as they become adults living in a world that will challenge their faith on a day-to-day basis.

Relationships and socialization Relationships are one of the most important things to a college student. Everyone wants to fit in and have friends. Some Christian students were raised up in a home that has no conditions about the company they hold onto while some had a very conventional childhood. Relationships are essential but if they get in the way of education, you should think again. College students are presented to a completely new societal atmosphere. This is the commencement of the time in their life where they want to try out everything with new people and places. Being exposed to others who have dissimilar values maybe a source of their temptations. Students should always depend on the Holy Spirit to always see them through such trials.

With all the delight of new settings and alterations in the life of a Christian student. It may be challenging to committing to personal time in the Word. It is crucial for students to stay in the Word in order to know God’s plan for them in college. They should be careful not to allow college to get away with their true bread of life. Missing home

Commitment to study the word of God

Relationship anxiety

Most Christian students grew up in a community that has cultural footprint that was very relaxed and came to be known as home. The church youth group that they used to enjoy so much is now a thing of the

It is hard to be patient and wait upon the lord and His perfect timing when all your peers are involved in intimate relationships. The pressure is just too much. It is reasonable to desire a close relationship with someone; God made you this way. However, there is no reason to rush things, do not haste into a relationship because you are pushed by anxiety and loneliness. Pray for God’s will to be done and for Him to be glorified in all your relationships. Psalms 27:14 insist that you wait upon the Lord and you will never regret waiting upon His promises.

OneRemainingachievable.faithfulofthebiggestchallenges

for Christian student is remaining faithful to God in a college that does not believe. Often times other students will openly challenge Christianity. The Christian students will most likely find themselves in a position where they have to choose whether to shield their faith or stay

39 past. Quickly lonesomeness sets in since the company of their siblings is no longer a regular thing. It is important for Christian student to find a local church where they will get a sense of belonging and feel like home.

MostFreedomcollege students were not granted freedom back home so for this reason freedom can be dangerous for them. Now that you are suddenly in an environment where you are unsupervised, you may end up compromising your values. You should be careful not to use your liberty too freely. You need a continuous reminder that you are accountable to God as much as you are accountable to yourself. Self discipline could be a complex life skill to master but through practice, accountability and prayer it is

enemy to attack someone who is feeling secluded, so Christian students are vulnerable to spiritual attacks. The enemy will plant temptations, fear and hesitation. However, students who are conscious of these dangers can battle with them through prayer and resistance since it is easier to face an enemy when you know it for what it is. As a Christian student, you need to be prepared for this and make sure you have the gears for spiritual AsLonelinesswarfare.muchas

40 quiet. At times, they might even find themselves questioning their own faith.

Christian students will need support from parents, friends and church communities on how to deal with this challenge in a Godly way. The best way to do this is to build a consistent time with God. College can be overwhelming at times but do not forget to study the Word of ItSpiritualGod.attackiseasierforthe

most tertiary students face this, for Christian students it must be worse because they are used to being enclosed by other Christians. Joining a Christian organization will give you an anchor in a new scenery and unite you with like-minded folks.

Sexual Collegepurityisnot an ideal place to pursue sexual purity, but you must make this your main concern. The devil will try to lure you to sexual sin, and once caught, it will be hard to rescue yourself. Sexual immorality is one sin that the devil use much to trap the youth, most of them indeed are stuck, and that becomes the end of their faith. Flee away from sexual immorality and pursue righteousness. It will be good to focus on your ministry and studies and let God bring someone special to your life on His own time.

One can say ‘since I am already in campus and failed to maintain a holy life from the beginning, I should just continue living my life the way I like. I should keep on drinking as if it is nobody’s business and fulfil all my youthful desires’. You may be renowned for being the most chaotic person in the whole campus and nobody think you can turn your life around. Maybe you are even doing your last year and you have been living unholy for first year. Maybe you were born again before you went to campus, you arrived there and got bad company, and your life turned for the worst. You probably think there is no more hope for you, since the bible states that for the one who has tasted the grace then went back to sin, it will be difficult for him to be saved again. It also says that it is like crucifying the son of man again. Someone once said ‘in the absence of hope death creeps in’; you have also lost hope for your life.

There is still hope for you even if you are already in campus and not living a Holy life.

Turningyourlifearoundwhilealreadyincampus

42 Chapter9

I want to say to you that God shows no partiality, He can pick you up and dust you and you will be rehabilitated. You can still transform your life; I have seen God helping many people. Some had addictions but God’s unmerited favour located them, a quote says, “when grace locates you it breaks all protocol’.

Forget about what people will say. It will not be easy at first, many people will not believe you, they will tell you that you can never change but it is best to ignore them and just trust God. The same power that rose Christ from death still exists and can raise you today. All you have to do is to trust God completely. You should make it a point to attend all SCM services because fellowship is very crucial for spiritual development especially to a newly convert. Make your life a prayerful life through praying and fasting, read your bible and spiritual books. Get a spiritual mentor, someone who will hold your hand through this journey until you can stand on your own. Sometimes you will be tempted to go back to your old life but if you have someone next to you, you will run to him or her, he/she will give you advice, you will pray together, and God will help you to overcome the temptation and renew you strength. Isaiah 40: 30 31 says even the youth becomes faint and weary, young men stumble and fall exhausted. Nevertheless, those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength

44 and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up to God as eagles mount up to the sun; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. Just pick yourself up and keep moving. Likewise, your company should change. Dissolve relationships with the people who will keep holding you back. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says do not be deceived bad company corrupts good character. This means you have to let go of your old friends if they keep trying to lure you back to your old ways. This does not mean you should hate them but just avoid spending too much time with them. You should be cautious of the company you keep, be around people who cause you to grow spiritually and avoid spiritually draining people.

1 Corinthians 10:31 so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. God anticipates Godly standards in the way we respond to our education system, so it is essential for you as a believer to have Godly values in all aspects of your education as well. Below are tips on how to stay holy in YouPraytertiary:cannot achieve holiness without a daily prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says Pray without ceasing. So, our aim is to always pray. Our life in this world flows from the life given to us by our father who art in heaven so we should put prayer first. A prayer less life can make you drift away from God and make things difficult for you. Instead of finding time for praying in your schedule, you should start building your schedule around your prayer. Schedule prayer first then the rest of your responsibilities will follow suit.

45 Chapter10 Howtoliveholyintertiary How to live Holy in college

Psalm 119:11 says I have hidden your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. When you saturate your mind with God’s word, it will help you when you are about to fall into temptation. You shall think of His word and it shall detain you from ObedienceSubmitsinning. is one of the most forthright path to holiness. Romans 13:1 2 says that we must submit to governing authority and whoever rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted. Our lectures, HOFs, HODs etc. are our superiors so we ought to submit to them. It may not be easy at times, but it is one of the undisputable ways to grow in holiness while still in college. Obedience is better than sacrifice. 1 Samuel 15:22 does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of HangingSchedulingrams.out with friends, studying, doing your assignment are good things nonetheless if not

46 Reside in God’s word Dwelling in God’s word is key to upholding holiness.

People usually say you face real life after campus, but the life of a student is not a hideaway from real life, it is real life, real faith, real holiness, everything is real. The key to being holy is to be holy today because a heart does not toughen all at once but a day at a time. Yes, the life of a student is challenging but you should persistently work to make your mind work serve your heart work. Your essential homework as a Christian is your heart-work. You can only do this through the assistance of the Holy Spirit.

47 arranged right they may take you away from what the Lord want you to do. Take time and contemplate your schedule, is there a room for God to work through you? You have a duty to make room for God, surrender your schedule to Him and permit Him to interrupt you. Nothing is more vital than listening to God’s voice.

Remember before you are a student; you are a ThisChristianmeans your faith is more significant. If God’s call for your life is to be a student for now, then follow that calling. However, you should saturate your life with the word of God. This season of life is excessively special not to worship God.

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48 Die to self As a Christian, you should die to self. It should not be about you anymore; it should be about Jesus. Get over yourself and serve your fellow students with love. If you still place yourself before others you cannot serve God, you need to let Him govern your life. Surrender is the best way to worship God.

JesusFellowshipcalled us into a communal. You can hardly survive on your own. In most campuses, there are Christian students’ fellowship groups, so be a part of that group and together you will flourish. Your faith will grow as compared to not fellowshipping. Being in fellowship is key to overcome sin. In fellowship, we support one another as it states in Hebrews 10:24 the world 2corinthians 6:14 says do not be yoked together with unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? The Bible tells us that we should draw a line between the world and us Christians. We should not think like the world, talk like the world and act like the world. We should be separate from the world and walk with God in His ways. In order to do this, you should be

49 careful on what you feed on, because whatever you feed on has a great influence on you. Flee from temptation Joseph is a perfect example. He escaped from Potiphar’s wife. That is exactly what you have to do, flee from temptation to pursue a holy life. It is true that you have the power to overcome any temptation that comes your way but sometimes instead of staying and fighting the temptation it is much better to flee. Do not be controlled by your flesh, you should crucify it.

50 Chapter Testimonies11

Campus is amazing when you have declared yourself as a child of God. It serves you from petty sins. It always keeps you motivated in your faith as everyone as everyone will be watching your steps. When you keep your faith genuine, you will gain favour from God and everyone will honour your God. I have experienced amazing times as part of the student’s Christian movement (SCM). Challenges were there, clash of doctrines was one main challenge. I overcame that by looking at Jesus, losing every argument while winning souls for Christ.

Below are some testimonies from our fellow brothers and sisters. They are quoted as they were. “My perception was that there are a lot of things happening in campus. There is just a flip of things; life becomes as good as one becomes independent. I also thought there would be much time for trying new lifestyle, trends, and all other youth friendly emphasized that it is hard to keep holiness when living in campus.

Peopleactivities.always

Since there is freedom , no one telling you what to do and there is peer pressure, some people may find themselves not reaching their goals and destination.

“I thought campus was a safe place but to my surprise it wasn’t, especially if you are unfocused.

Our colleagues thought holiness was impossible especially for youth. They believed that it was for bored, poor and useless people, also for females not for males.

My advice is simple; students should learn to copy Christ, practice what you preach, refrain from activities that do not glorify God. Do it genuinely for the glory of God not for any man. Honour your leader in the movement, show love in all you do, for the glory of Christ. If you are given a chance to be in any committee do it with love and passion or do not do it at all. Again, do not lead people to doctrines that do not glorify Christ. Be flexible, allow God to be God. SCM greatly influenced my life. I have grown spiritually more than ever. The teachings are relevant to what holiness requires, yes, they were that of Jesus Christ. The movement also gave us a platform to utilize our gifts. It was really amazing to be part of SCM”.

“There was nothing to influence my perception of campus since I was the first one to go to college in my home. I thought campus was just a continuation of high school even more in terms of discipline. This thought was proven wrong within a week of my stay

They looked down upon us, criticized us thus lowering our self esteem however we overcame that by ignoring them. I used to attend SCM devotions and prayer which helped me to overcome the challenges”.

My advice is that it is important to attend SCM fellowships and try to live a holy life.

“Before I enrolled as a college student, my perception was that campus life is difficult with many challenges as I had seen people coming from college as drunkards and prostitutes as a result of the college influence. People told me that it is difficult to live a holy life in campus because temptations are always before one’s eyes. I did not want to stay in campus but eventually I did, and my approach was being choosy and selective where friends are concerned. I was fully committed to SCM fellowships which made me more stable and stronger”.

53 in campus. The residents would boldly declare that an upright holy life was an impossible mission to practice. They did not just say that in words, but they showed evidence of fellow brothers and sisters who fell into temptations at campus. Having seen and heard all this my heart was not only troubled but also broke into tears asking myself one question ‘isn’t there anyone who can remove this shame’ (1 Samuel Primarily17:26).

Isolation and rejection become the order of the campus life you choose not to conform to the standard of the campus life. Today those who used to oppose me respect me and even at my workplace, I am a man of integrity. SCM services were very helpful for one to keep fellowship with the Lord”.

I had to understand my identity in order to prevail against the odds of campus life (1 Peter 2:9). Not only so but also had to strengthen my nature and remember all the instructions and words of wisdom given back home to fight a good fight. I set for my life some boundaries and principles, not just something to brag about but for my own good. I never compromised on those principles either for my social life or for academics. By the grace of God, the Holy Spirit carried me through my campus life. I refused to subscribe the pattern of campus life, (Daniel 1:8).

Temptations of the Christian students were magnified and advice from fellow students was to remain neutral and never to reveal one’s identity. When the college operations in August were fully functioning, I hid myself and laid low while watching a group of students gathering frequently to fellowship together. It happened that my room was in close proximity from where the SCM fellowships were held. Prayerful voices of the students penetrated the walls of my room. I could not turn a deaf ear anymore, I quickly rose up took a bath and

“In 2016 I was awarded with an acceptance letter to confirm that a place has been reserved for me at ECOT. That was the same year I had dedicated my life to Jesus Christ as my Lord and saviour. I was a newly convert in the month of April and determined to maintain a holy life hence I constantly received guidance from my church evangelical. My moving from home to pursue my academic journey had mixed emotion of happiness in the sheer fact of progressing further academically however, fear of the unknown suddenly stole this joy simply because many in a mouthful words that totally oppressed Christians described life in campus. Other students were of the view that in order for one to enjoy campus life and indulge in its entertainment, one needs to maintain a holy Christian walk.

55 went to join them, ever since that day I never turned back but partake in SCM services. Indeed, there is strength in unity and most importantly, God has never failed anyone who dedicates his or her life to him. Maintaining a holy life required that I faithfully attend SCM fellowships. Challenges arise along this journey like the pressure of having to jungle between schoolwork and God’s work. One need to sacrifice and create a work schedule that will permit enough time for studies and serving God’s purpose while in the campus premises. The student Christian movement has been my pillar of strength that helped me to grow in many ways and most importantly spiritually. Through insightful teachings I received from SCM I now find it easy to comprehend the bible. I have gained more life teachings like team building, which has helped me to mingle with people easily. My life has been beautifully transformed by SCM and words cannot clearly describe how my life has been nurtured. In closer inspection, a holy life at campus is possible; one has to associate with people who share the same passion of living a holy life. It is not wise to judge non believers but rather pray for them. Finally, one should stay firm at all times regardless of the circumstances and be strong in the Lord. Do not be

“Before I enrolled at college, I was told that it is not easy to live a holy life and also that boys are a big obstacle they may cause one to forsake the way of faith. It was challenging to see brethren living a double life. In addition, it was so cold so you would think twice before waking up to go to prayer.

Off camp testimony

‘My main challenge was money, we know that the student allowance is not enough to meet all the necessary needs therefore I had to try to balance things in order to survive and somehow that sabotaged me in many ways. I was doing my level best to act smart when it comes to money, I never

56 discouraged by other fellow brethren who live a double life. Do not therefore fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation (Hebrews 10:35)”.

Another challenge was not being in good relationship with each other as Christians for example people criticizing the way you pray. My advice would be that in order to see the work of God in your life you should pray without ceasing and not to do anything that God did not say you must do, always seek His will before doing anything”.

57 allowed peer pressure to control me, and I budgeted and made sure to stick to that budget. I tried to cut other needs, with the understanding that I cannot have it all. Moreover, naturally, I do not panic when I see money; I always knew there was a year ahead, so I have to spend wisely. I also avoided going home frequently because that was an expense on its own. Most importantly, I taught myself that money belongs to God, so I used to pay tithes and offerings. Another challenge is the issue of relationships. When you stay off camp, you have your own space of which you can do anything and anytime. You usually get pressure from classmates telling you that you will not find the right spouse if you do not start dating now. Every time I felt like I have done something wrong, I would go to God and ask for forgiveness and I never did the mistake of stopping to attend SCM. It helped me to be closer to my brothers in Christ who would visit me any time, so there was no way I would bring a lady to my house. I would advise you never to stop fellowship because you will never survive then’.

Testimonies from those who transitioned ‘When I came to tertiary, I started all sort of bad habits. I began drinking and I got deep into drugs, I partied every weekend. I became an addict. I could not go a day without drugs. I did that from my first year until my final year. I never cared about going to SCM or being saved. I was happy with my life as it was. I felt as if I was ‘living the life’ not realizing that I was ruining Nevertheless,it.at the beginning of my final year God found me. I stopped drinking and I stopped drugs. I started attending SCM, I testified, and they warmly welcomed me. From then I never did drugs again, it was not easy but with God by my side and the help of other fellow brothers and sisters who encouraged and prayed for me I managed to live a holy life until today. I am a living testimony that it is possible to turn your life around. Never lose hope, the same God who saved me, can save you today, all you have to do is to surrender your life to Him and all will fall into ‘Iplace.’hadnever used drugs before going to tertiary. I was a good kid and I cannot blame it on company. Three months down the line, I felt overwhelmed by the

One day I decided to drown my sorrows with alcohol and that is how I started drinking, then I moved on to cigarettes. As I got into these habits, I got drinking friends who introduced me to supplementary drugs. Since then I took drugs every day until I could not go a day without them. I became an addict. However, God poured His grace upon me. I nearly died after overdosing. God came to me while I was lying unconsciously on the hospital bed and I instantly knew I had to stop drugs. After that, I decided to give my life to Christ although the devil

59 campus life. I struggled to make new friends because I do not easily open up to new people, in fact I was not interested in making new friends, I thought I would be okay on my own as usual. Unfortunately, tertiary is not like high school where you go to school and then later you go home so being alone started weighing on me, I felt the need for a friend but I was afraid to reach out. This started affecting my academic work and that added on my frustrations. Things were not easy, I had a lot on my plate, and I was not coping anymore, so I had difficulties sleeping and I started using painkillers to help me sleep. My system got used to them, so I added the dose until I switched to sleeping pills. Briefly, my addiction began with capsules.

60 kept whispering in my ear to try the drugs just one more time. I would have a severe headache, but God was good to me and I never went back to drugs. It was not easy, but it was worth it, there was great transformation in my life: things worked out even my schoolwork improved, and I graduated, today I am living a holy life. ‘ Tertiary is never easy, so it is wise to trust God whole heartedly (Proverbs 3:5). God has never let anyone down and he will not start now. THE END