By Brooke Brinker, Social Media Manager
As a college student, balancing finals, presentations, sports, clubs, work, and responsibilities can feel overwhelming, especially during the last couple of weeks of the school year. Sometimes it can feel like you don’t even get a second to sit down and relax until the end of the day.
Many students feel like they have a lot on their plates, and when so many responsibilities and stressful things go on during the day and in their minds, they can struggle to make time for God. Here are some ways you can put God first in your busy schedule.
During your Sunday reset, when you take out your calendar to plan your week, as you write down your classes, workdays, and activities, you can also write down times in your day and week to spend time with God.
For example, after one of your classes, you can write down on your calendar, “Go on a prayer walk,” or “Read the Bible outside on the picnic tables.” That way, you can manage your time and put God first in your day, no matter how busy it can get. If spending time with God is in your calendar, you won’t feel rushed or overwhelmed trying to fit time in.
Heidi D’Ambrosio, executive assistant to vice president of Student Affairs, said, “Putting God first in a busy schedule isn’t primarily about time, it’s about priority, and consistency. It shows up in how you start your day, how you make decisions, and how you treat people throughout it.”
One of the most important ways you can spend time with God in your busy schedule is to read your Bible, pray, and give the first five to ten minutes to Him. Start your morning with God and end your nights with Him. It can be so tempting to grab your phone and start scrolling on TikTok right when you wake up, or to start planning your day, stressing about everything you have to do.
However, spending time with God first thing in the morning and before you sleep is truly life-changing. You can bring all your worries to Him and simply talk to Him before you get into your head. You can read the Word of God and remember a Bible verse that can help you throughout the day.
Little ways to add Jesus to your day, and putting him first, is downloading a Bible app so that you can always have a Bible verse when you need some encouragement.
You can pray to God throughout the day, on the way to class, on the way to work, while you are waiting for class to start, or while listening to worship music throughout the day.
God wants to be your very best friend. He is the one friend who will never leave your side.
Get creative when spending time with God! Some other ideas can include grabbing a coffee and a bakery item at your favorite coffee shop and do a Bible study, wake up early and watch the sunrise on the dock at Saint Leo University, and praise God, journaling your thoughts to Him, painting at the beach and praying to Him, writing the Word of God on sticky notes and speaking them over yourself, picnic with Jesus, a nature walk, and writing a love letter to God! There are so many fun ways to spend time with the One who created you and loves you with His whole heart.
Being in college and balancing everything all at once is challenging. It is stressful finding time to study, spend time with friends, and prepare for after college.
Putting God first in the midst of your busy schedule will help you so much. Spending time with God will give you so much peace. He will guide you through your day. Lean on Him and trust Him through your college years. You got this, Lions!
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
Bible verses to encourage you:
“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
