Tips for Being a Successful College Student

You just graduated high school and you're off to the wonderful world of college. No more being waken up by mom and having home cooked meals. You're almost in the adult world so I hope you're ready to take on the challenge of adjusting to this new stage. While I can't help you prepare any meals or make sure you get to that 8:00 class on time, there are a few things that I can share that I think will be beneficial to helping you have a wonderful academic experience in college.

1. Be Confident! The Bible says "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee." (Provers 23:7) Most students attitude towards a class dictate their success in the class. Have a spirit of conquering the class and enter the class with confidence of succeeding.

2. Take Notes! As college students there are plenty of things that take place in your mind, taking notes is the key essential of memorizing lectures.

3. Organize your time! Organize each goal to the level of importance it has. Take time for your self to do whatever you want to do.

4. Get involved! It is statistically shown that college students who are involved in any extracurricular activities are more likely to be better students. It will also look better on resumes and will make your college experience a lot more satisfying in retrospect.

5. Procrastination, No MORE!!! I know in high school you were used to passing a test without studying or waiting until the last minute to handle very important business, but that will kill your GPA quickly in college. Some college students do well under pressure, however setting time to complete one task will give the college student more ease to focus on different task(s) and will also ease the stress level.

6. Intern! Apply what you learn in college in a work environment, learn hands on what you want to do the rest of your life.

7. Communicate! Develop a constant communication with your professors, and classmates. Communicate with your professor so that (s)he will know you personally to discover your academic strengths and weakness(es). Communicate with your classmates because you never know when you'll need them.

8. STUDY! Set time to study, study when it is best for you, study with a clear mind, free from distractions and take breaks when studying, or start a study group.

9. Know your limit! Sometimes you will have to withdraw from courses, if it is better in drastic cases to withdraw from a certain course than fail it then do so. If you need a tutor get one, know your limit, ask for assistance. This may also mean less time with friends and working less hours if you have a job to make sure your GPA remains where you want it to be.

10. Becoming a college student isn't about good grades. It's about your mindset. If you don't take anything else I said remember it is all about application. You get what you put out. Having a positive mindset and applying your positive mind will help you become a successful student despite your grades.

Guidance

Your word is a lamp to my feet
            and a light to my path.
I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
            to keep your righteous rules.

Psalm 119:105-106

Have you ever bought an item that had to be put together. Were you confused about how to assemble it? If you’re like me, maybe you even enjoy the challenge of doing it without using the instructions.

I’ve done that many times. And all too often, I end up with pieces left and have to basically start over. It’s then I finally think, “I really should’ve used those instructions.”

There are a lot of people who do that with life. They trust in themselves to figure it out and learn the hard way when things blow up. So they’re left broken, hurting, and wishing they’d have had instructions from the very beginning. But the truth is that God has given us instructions for living--instructions found in the pages of the Scriptures.

I often hear people say they're trying to find themselves or figure out their purpose. So many people are trying to live life without the instructions. It’s heartbreaking to see the pain it causes. So get instructions for daily living by diving into God’s Word and walking in obedience to Him. It’s there you’ll find the fullness of joy as you discover the incredible plan He has for your life!

Dating to Courting

These are some notes that I have taken over the years from other pastors and from my own study on Christian dating. I feel that these will bless someone and give someone a better understanding of dating God's way. Marriage and relationships aren't just about people falling in love. It's about what God has for the man to do and the woman is to help him meet his objective.

1. Date with the intention of finding a partner for marriage.
-Choose a Christian
-Choose a kindred spirit
-Look for character
-Look for accomplishments

2. Ask "How can I be the one?" instead of "How can I find the one?"

Rules of Courting

These a rules of Biblical courtship. Your specific rules may differ depending on your conviction and how much temptation they may be for you.

-Takes the position that the two people have no physical contact at all until marriage.

-Many in a courtship relationship won't spend any time together unless family members, preferably parents, are present at all times.

-Courting couples state up front their intentions are to see if the other person is a suitable potential marriage partner.
-Courtship allows for the two people to truly get to know each other in a platonic setting without the pleasures of physical intimacy or emotions clouding their view.

A Relationship to Glorify God

1. STOP having sex ( 1 Corinthians 6:18).

2. Guard your heart ( Proverbs 4:23). Stop watching stupid reality TV shows, going to clubs.

3. Actions. Don't show off your body. It was bought at a price. Marriage pays for it. 

4. Tell your emotions to shut up. Control your flesh and resist intimate urges. Love God more than you love each other.

5. God has to be first. Spend daily time with Him, apply what you learned, serve in your local church, pray for your partner, forgive whoever hurt you - DO YOUR PART.

6. Spend time with God.

Scripture

Unselfish

 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Philippians 2:3

Way to treat a partner during courtship

-Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. 1 Timothy 5:1-2

-and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 1 Thessalonians 4:6

Qualities for Women to Look for in Men

Spiritual leader

and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 1 Corinthians 14:35

1. Responsibility constitutes manhood.
2. Intelligence by gathering information from studying surroundings.
3. Can teach you the Word of God (Ephesians 5:26)

(Sorry I don't have more on qualities to look for in a man)

Things We Already Know

1. Don't be unequally yoked. ( 2 Corinthians 6:14)

2. Watch the way you dress. (1 Timothy 2:9-10)

3. Don't place yourself in a compromising situation. ( 2 Corinthians 2:11)

4. Maintain sexual purity.

A Relationship Built on God's Love

1. You love the other person for who he or she is rather than what you get from the person. (John 3:16)

2. You have Christ at the center of your relationship. (Matthew 6:33) When Jesus is at the center of all you do, your conduct will never bring you shame or regret.

3. You are waiting until marriage until any physical relationship. ( 1 Corinthians 13:4)

4. You respect the other person's feelings and wishes. ( 1 Corinthians 13:5)

5. Love seeks to serve the other person rather than be served. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Things to Look for in a Great Wife

1. Does she love God? (Ephesians 5:21)

2. Does she respect authority? (Ephesians 5:22-24; Colossians 3:18)

3. Does she believe in you? (Genesis 2:18)

4. Does she have a peaceful spirit? (Proverbs 19:13; 21:9)

•  Proverbs 31:26-31
• She doesn't need the praise of people but lets her work speak for her.
• share Christian beliefs
• makes you a better man
• trustworthy
• ambitious
• selfless
• attractive from the inside out 
• smart as in being wise, giving good advice, and can hold a conversation
• loves unconditionally
• responsible 
• if children, under control
• respectful
• gets along with your family

Preparing for Marriage

1. Spiritual Stability (Matthew 7:24-27)

2. Emotional Health (Proverbs 25:28)

3. Physical fitness (1 Timothy 4:8)

4. Financial Soundness (Luke 16:1-8)

5. Maturity ( Be responsible) (James 1:22-25)

6. Friendship Skills

7. Solving Conflict ( 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; 1 Peter 4:8)

Habits for a Happy Marriage

1. Patience

2. Ability to Listen

3. Servanthood

4. Humility

5. Character

6. Love

7. Pray together (Matthew 18:20)