What I Did Wrong at College: Answering Your Questions

Previously, I asked you guys to send me questions — you came through!  Here’s the first in a series in which I talk about the things you want to know!

Alexis asks:

Q: Do you have life advice for Southern Christian teens who are about to go to an extremely liberal college? I’m excited to experience diversity, but in the midst of all that what are some ways I can stay sure of what I know to be truth?

A: College is tough no matter what. When I went to Kansas State, I thought I had a pretty good hold on my morality. But when I got there, I wasn’t really prepared for the demands of the KSU athletic department combined with the academic requirements. I didn’t keep up with both of them at the same time. In fact, I didn’t do a great job with keeping up with either!

So…

Not sure if I’m the best person to answer this question… Maybe you can learn a bit from my mistakes.

1. Realize that your teachers probably won’t share your values. This is just a fact. If you are from a Southern Christian home, you will hold different opinions than your teachers. That’s okay. They aren’t necessarily smarter than you – they are just older than you and have more experience debating than you.
2. College is a place where anything goes. Not only will you be barraged with ideas that are different than the way you were raised, you will be presented with multiple opportunities to experience these different values with who-knows-who. Resist that temptation. In fact, researchers now say that young adults who engage in casual sexual activity are more likely to be depressed and to seriously consider suicide. Casual sex leads to poor mental health – in both guys and girls.