Finding Your Faith in the Midst of a Secular School

When I first stepped onto the University of Maryland’s campus and stood on Hornbake Plaza, watching the sun set over the green lawn, I knew I was in the right place. While I looked forward to all the memories I would make, a nagging worry lingered in the back of my mind. As I saw other students in my residence hall racing to obtain fake IDs, I was consumed with questions: “What if I lose my faith here?” “What if I fall in with the wrong crowd?” “Should I have chosen a Christian college instead?”

College is undoubtedly a time when your faith in Jesus is tested. UMD, being a secular university, presents a unique set of influences—from classes that challenge biblical ideas to the pressures of substance use and partying. Still, within these influences and pressures lies an opportunity to find and strengthen your faith. Looking back at that anxious freshman version of myself, here is advice I would have told her:

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
— Matthew 6:25–33

Pray that the Lord would strengthen your faith during college and provide opportunities for you to grow. 

He alone is our constant and our stability. Distractions and temptations will arise, but we can find security in knowing His goodness and nearness. If we trust that He is good and in control, we can also trust that He will sustain and grow us when we ask. The Lord delights to give good gifts to His children—and the best gift is knowing Him. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Pray to have a heart that is constantly in search of the Lord and trust that you are in His loving hands as you navigate this transition.

Make spiritual disciplines a priority. 

As a college student, you basically have free rein over your schedule. The ability to choose whether to sleep in, study, or spend time with friends is a sweet part of independence and growing up; however, it also comes with its challenges. In the same way you foster a relationship with someone by spending time with them, the Lord desires to spend time with us. Spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, reading the Bible, and worship, allow us to know God deeply and reorient our hearts around Him. If you want to seek the Lord and grow close to Him, be intentional about carving out time in the spiritual disciplines. Personally, I like waking up early when it's quiet and sitting on my bed or in the lounge, reading my Bible and praying. I know some people who enjoy reading their Bible outside in the morning. Between classes, I love listening to worship music to stay connected with God throughout the day. Finding your rhythm will take a bit of time but make sure to prioritize individual time with the Lord through this transition process. 

Join a campus ministry when you arrive at UMD. 

Connecting with other Christian students provides a vital support system—offering encouragement, fellowship, and opportunities for shared growth. Pray for a Christ-centered community that you can see yourself growing in (more on picking a ministry here). Attending Bible studies and community events with OneU has provided a different way of studying the word and has facilitated Jesus-centered conversations. For me, OneU was an answered prayer to a freshman who longed for deeper conversations about the goodness of the Lord.

Make Christian friends.

Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who share your values can provide accountability and strengthen your resolve to live out your faith. Before college, I had only a few friends who were genuinely seeking the Lord. Following God had felt so lonely at times. But as God led me to OneU, I began building friendships that were not only fun but also pushed me closer to the Lord. These are the friends I feel I can share anything with—without fear of judgment—and who encourage me to love God more and more. Whether we are praying about internship opportunities or potential relationships, we are there for each other, bearing each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).

Get plugged in with a local church.

Engaging with a church community beyond campus offers another layer of support and accountability, connecting you with the wider body of believers. Through OneU, I began attending Solid Rock Church—and I love it. Solid Rock is around a ten minute drive from campus, and OneU provides rides to get there every Sunday at 10AM. While I still cherish my home church, there is something so sweet about worshipping and singing praises to Jesus in a different setting. Some students may feel more comfortable attending their home church and that is okay. Personally, I am glad that I embraced this new season of continuing to follow the Lord while attending a church much closer to campus.

Be firm in your faith and follow your Spirit-led convictions.

There will be times when you need to stand strong in what you believe, even if it goes against the prevailing culture. Before you come to college, write out the convictions you hold and the things you won’t compromise on to live a life for the Lord. Flee from sin and do not put yourself in situations where you may compromise on honoring Jesus. 

1 John 2:1-2 says that “if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” Sin is inevitable in the Christian walk. Still, Jesus's kindness draws us close to Him. We can be confident that He is our advocate. A life that is for the Lord will be characterized by continually running back to Him through the difficulties and temptations that you will face.

You may encounter classes where following your faith feels challenging. In those moments, ask the Lord for wisdom, and don’t hesitate to ask questions. Questioning your faith isn’t necessarily negative; in fact, questions can lead to deeper understanding and a stronger walk with God as you discern what you truly believe and how to live it out. In some of my classes, people have said wild things about the Lord. Knowing what you believe—and why—is incredibly important. 

Final Thoughts

While my faith was present before college, it was during these past years that I truly began to pursue the Lord independently—outside of my family’s traditions. I witnessed my faith strengthen in profound ways, moving beyond simply doing things because my family did them to actively choosing a relationship with the Lord out of my own love for Him and the way He has changed my life.

You don’t need to be anxious of losing your faith in Jesus; you can trust that He will sustain you as you seek after Him wholeheartedly. There is no need to live in fear of failure. Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” which means we can endure the hardships and trials that college brings through God's strength. Continue to press in and find ways to deepen the love you already have for God. While students can drift from their faith in college, I have also seen people who have genuinely started taking their faith seriously while at UMD. 

Remember that you are placed where you are for a reason. What feels difficult can often be an open door to share the love and truth of Jesus with those around you. Lean into those opportunities—there are people who need to know about the love of Christ.

Ultimately, after graduation, most of us will enter the secular workforce. Consider your time at a secular university as valuable preparation for persevering in your faith in the world. You will face challenges at college, but remember that God’s grace is sufficient, and He can use this time to deepen your faith and equip you for all He has planned for you.