ife is full of adventure, personal growth, laughter, new experiences, and connections, but most importantly transitions. We all come from different backgrounds and own a set of worldview from growing up. As a 20 year old girl who has just entered this University life here at Vanguard University of Southern California as a transfer junior, the life altering concept of transitions is something that's shaped my every being all within a matter of two weeks.It's a special time to break free from the life I once knew, to explore new desires and passions. I have the opportunity to start fresh and say goodbye to the habits, friendships, and environment that challenged my faith with the Lord like no other. This new chapter in my life has been longed for ever since I placed my tassel on the left side of my graduation cap in high school.
Even with this rush of excitement to feel settled in, and be apart of this community on campus it comes with a flood of emotions as I'm trying to figure out who I am and all that I hope to gain through these next two years.
Our community is diverse and filled with hundreds of different backgrounds, and personal testimonies. It's easy to leave behind all we know, and come from growing up with our families. However, as wonderful as it is to begin with a clean slate, it's daunting.
Who am I suppose to trust? When should I feel comfortable letting lose? Will other's judge me? Am I enough? Am I lacking in self confidence? All of these questions are one's that silently screamed in the back of my mind before starting college, and I often wondered if such anxiety would peek through on the outside.
This transition hasn't been all that I expected, or even hoped in both good and bad situations. The friendships I've made have been a true comfort, but yet I've had to face obstacles I didn't know I would, especially at a Christian University.
As I have leaned on the Lord for comfort he has pointed me to a verse over and over again, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" - Genesis 1:27.
So as I have dealt with identity questions about who I desire to be, I remember that my worth comes from Him.
I am a child of God, and he has fearfully and wonderfully made me. I can feel loved, accepted, and beautiful because of Him.
The Lord has been showing me so many things during this time of transition, and truly creating this type of transformation within me.
Transitions aren't easy, and it's interesting to see how much I craved it, especially when I cringe at the thought of change.
Yet, this new change for me will take time, and hopefully soon I'll be able to call Vanguard my home, rather than my college.
Our community is diverse and filled with hundreds of different backgrounds, and personal testimonies. It's easy to leave behind all we know, and come from growing up with our families. However, as wonderful as it is to begin with a clean slate, it's daunting.
Who am I suppose to trust? When should I feel comfortable letting lose? Will other's judge me? Am I enough? Am I lacking in self confidence? All of these questions are one's that silently screamed in the back of my mind before starting college, and I often wondered if such anxiety would peek through on the outside.
This transition hasn't been all that I expected, or even hoped in both good and bad situations. The friendships I've made have been a true comfort, but yet I've had to face obstacles I didn't know I would, especially at a Christian University.
As I have leaned on the Lord for comfort he has pointed me to a verse over and over again, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" - Genesis 1:27.
So as I have dealt with identity questions about who I desire to be, I remember that my worth comes from Him.
I am a child of God, and he has fearfully and wonderfully made me. I can feel loved, accepted, and beautiful because of Him.
The Lord has been showing me so many things during this time of transition, and truly creating this type of transformation within me.
Transitions aren't easy, and it's interesting to see how much I craved it, especially when I cringe at the thought of change.
Yet, this new change for me will take time, and hopefully soon I'll be able to call Vanguard my home, rather than my college.
College life literally has guaranteed transitions built right into it, with your schedule changing every semester/term and often your living situation (or who you're rooming with) changing from year to year, or even every six months. It's the people we choose to surround ourselves with that have the most influence on us, and while we can't always choose roommates or classmates, we can choose friends, so if you surround yourself with like-minded people, you won't find yourself lost. And like you said, the most important exemplar and friend of all is found in our Savior, and to know that we are made in the image of God. Here's hoping that these transitions prove to be beautiful times of personal growth and wisdom for you (though it sounds like this one is already proving to be just that!).
ReplyDeleteYes, change takes so much time...so much effort... Give yourself time and grace and you'll do just fine.
ReplyDeleteChange is always hard, but retrospectively, you'll be so glad for it. It contributes to personal growth and forces you to rely more heavily on your relationship with the Savior. Some of my best memories come from moments of hard transition (those are always the ones filled with the most heartfelt prayers, too). Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteWow I love that Aubry! It's so true how holding onto HIm, and leaning for that strength makes this time seem not so scary, or even uncomfortable! :)
DeleteI remember those questions well, and I LOVE that you'er adopting this attitude; change through what you go through. AMEN sister. College can be really hard to transition into, so much new and so much unknown; you'll slowly start to call it your home and meet the tribe of people who become a second family (no matter how long or short they are in your life). The best thing I can tell you - embrace it. When you feel like screaming, just scream, when you want to dance, dance, when you want to talk for hours, do it! <3
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for commenting. I love what you said 'no matter how long or short they are in your life.' I think this is such a great reminder for myself as being here at college everyone is trying to find their best friend for life, and perhaps that will happen, but right now It's not for me. It's okay to have friends here, and then worry about how long the relationship will last afterwards!!!
DeleteYou're such a good writer! I'm a transfer sophomore student at Liberty University (also Christian), and I haven't had problems with making new friends, but transitioning into their different music program has been quite stressful! I hope that eventually I'll be able to call it my home, instead of just my college someday too. Love your blog!
ReplyDeletewww.madisontaylor.co
OMG you go to Liberty? That's so cool. My best friend from high school goes there, and I was able to visit it this past summer!! Yes, I'm in choir and the music department is fun but tricky because everyone is a giant family...haha. Thanks for stopping by! :)
DeleteYou know what girl, no matter when you have change or transition, it can always bring challenges! But knowing that, half the battle!! Keep at it; you've got this!
ReplyDeleteSo true! Thanks Abi!
DeleteI remember how much I grew at college, and how much I was challenged. You're right, even Christian colleges have their growing pain experiences. Hopefully you'll find yourself insulated in the right ways (good friends and relationships) while preparing yourself for the next steps in life! You'll be great!
ReplyDeleteI hate change too!!! I hope life settles down for you soon! <3 College is definitely a crazy season of life!
ReplyDeleteI also transferred going into my junior year! It was not the easiest at all but looking back, the Lord blessed that season so much. The friends I made overtime are some of the best I've ever had. The Lord has you there for a reason and He won't leave you. Just stay in Him. Seek His face. Abide. And you will be right where you need to be! XOXO
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