Silhouette of woman in coat on mountaintop, on knees praying with open palms

Making Faith a Part of Learning at a Non-Religious College

Faith is an important part of many students' lives. If you're attending a secular college as a Christian, here's how to incorporate religion into your learning.

When you select a university to attend, it may have most of the things you’re looking for but maybe not everything. For instance, there are many students who identify with and practice a particular religion, but many of them may not attend a university that’s affiliated with their faith. In the case of Christian students, this change may be different from the environment you’ve grown up in. If you’re a part of this group, you’re not alone! The good news is there are various steps you can take to connect your Christian faith with what you learn at a non-religious college.

Connect academic topics to scripture

For any Christian, the Bible is an important part of your faith. In fact, many individuals view it as a manual that contains the answers and guidance to your life questions. What better way to incorporate faith while learning than to tie academic material in with scripture? An initial connection may be made quickly, but the process of really exploring these connections requires some time and thought. First, choose a topic you’re learning that you’d like to have a deeper connection to. This could include a range of material, from the liberal arts to the sciences. Then observe which facts or patterns in the academic text can be compared to scripture.

For an English course, this could include topics such as poetry and elements such as writing styles, vocabulary, and literary techniques. These elements could be found within a book of the Bible like the Psalms, which contains beautifully written poetry that displays a range of emotions. Another example could be when learning about history or geography. There are important historical figures who’ve impacted the Christian faith, and many of them are discussed in scripture. Certain areas of the world as well as genealogies could also be connected to specific Biblical figures, one being Paul the Apostle. By connecting your college course material to biblical information, your academic experience will be enhanced and faith-based learning can occur at the same time. 

Related: From Stressed to Blessed: How to Find Time for Your Faith as a Student

Implement prayer

Another important aspect of faith is prayer. For Christians, prayer is a form of communication and an element that strengthens one’s relationship with God. Prayer can be incorporated throughout various areas in a student’s life. When there’s an upcoming exam or a difficult or time-consuming assignment, prayer is a good stress-relieving tool. Whenever you’re sitting in class, you can quietly communicate with God through prayer right at your desk about a certain point your professor may have mentioned. Overall, prayer is a beneficial implementation that can positively influence a student’s mental health, focus, and performance while in college. 

Take a class in theology or philosophy

Even if a college’s profile isn’t associated with a particular faith, there may still be classes on theology or philosophy that are available. Students who are interested in these classes can gain insight into aspects of other religions as well as their own. Christian students should be on the lookout for classes that’ll prove to be beneficial for strengthening their faith, and if interested, you should consider taking at least one of them. These types of classes allow you to be more involved with your faith and focus on it alongside your other academic pursuits. Be careful, however, to avoid classes and professors that may be detrimental to your faith. Ask around and see what options you have, or try to do some research on your own. If you choose a class and decide it isn’t a good fit for you and your beliefs, you do have the option to drop it and switch to something else. 

Related: What Major Factors and Questions Should I Consider in My Christian College Search?

While it can be challenging at times to connect learning with your faith in college, with a little determination and seeking out the little things, you can find creative ways to make connections between the two. After all, faith is an important part of your life that makes up your identity as a Christian. Seek boldly to discover more about it in your educational journey!

Learn more about connecting with your religious identity on campus in our Christian Colleges and Universities section.

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

Tags:

About Lianna Jacob

Lianna Jacob is an undergraduate student who has gone through the college admission process and wants to share her experience with others! She enjoys learning more about her Christian faith and spending time with family and friends.

 

 

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress

College Quick Connect

Swipe right to request information.
Swipe left if you're not interested.

Messiah University

Grantham, PA


Jessica Rinker

Jessica Rinker

Student, Fairhaven High School; CollegeXpress Student Writer

My high school counselor introduced me to CollegeXpress freshman year. It has made such a difference in high school, and I plan to continue relying on it in college. CollegeXpress is my go-to because it addresses each aspect of being a student. There are the articles you’d expect regarding college applications and financial aid, but you will also find advice on things like de-stressing and maintaining relationships while balancing a heavy course load. CollegeXpress will also keep you updated on current scholarships through e-mails each Saturday. (They don’t harass you with any product promotion like so many other sites do.) CollegeXpress is a lot like an older sibling who has already conquered the challenges you are facing. Now, they are reaching out a helpful hand. I say take it.

Victoria

Victoria

High School Class of 2019

CollegeXpress has helped me by opening my eyes to new opportunities. I learned about such easy ways to get financial help to achieve my dreams while also learning about myself and who I truly am. I know this isn't a very long explanation of what CollegeXpress has done for me, but nonetheless, I believe it's crucial to how I developed as a person throughout my time as a college student.

Maya Ingraham

Maya Ingraham

October 2021 Mini Scholarship Winner, Class of 2022

CollegeXpress has given me more confidence in my college process. With easy-to-access resources and guidance such as the CX Weekly Roundup, I have been able to find the best colleges for me. Most importantly, there’s a surplus of scholarship opportunities for every student to support their education.

Katelyn

Katelyn

High School Class of 2021

CollegeXpress gave me options of schools with my major and from there I was able to pick what was most important to me in a school. Everything was so organized that I could see all the information I needed.

Ana Sophia Garcia-Cubas Assemat

Ana Sophia Garcia-Cubas Assemat

$10,000 Scholarship Winner, 2020

CollegeXpress has been an instrumental resource for my scholarship search and has given me the opportunity to try my best so I can graduate from college debt-free.