“Letter to My Freshman Self,” from Jordan Griffin

Dear Freshman Jordan,

Way to go on graduating high school and beginning your college career! Ever since you toured Judson College at Southeastern and fell in love with the community and people, your heart has been set on attending college there. As you begin your college journey, make sure that you treasure the time that you spend with your friends because it will go by in the blink of an eye.

Also treasure the conversations that you will have with your professors because as you face struggles, these conversations will help you through them. You do not know it yet, but you will lose a loved one to cancer and have an encouraging conversation with your American Literature professor. He will listen to you as you explain what is happening back at home and tell you that “even though this might seem dark to you, it is not dark to God.” After hearing this you will hold on to it and realize that God has a purpose for everything even when you do not know what that purpose is. God can take the ugliest thing and turn it into something beautiful.

Also treasure the conversations that you will have with your professors because as you face struggles, these conversations will help you through them.

James 1:2-3 will become your life verse. James writes, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trails of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (ESV). It will remind you that God uses your struggles and pain to draw you closer to him. It will also remind you that you can find comfort, peace, and joy in knowing that God is in control. Remembering this will help get you through your struggles.

As you get further along in your college career do not forget to invest in the freshmen that are in your house because you might regret it if you don’t. Put the effort in to get to know them as they start their college journey, and make them feel welcomed. School and studying are important, but avoid letting them consume you, because that will cause you to spiral. It will make you miss out on doing things with Schaeffer house or hanging out with your friends because you will believe that school is the only thing that you have time for.

While you are starting college, there are some things that you can look forward to, like the joyful laughter that comes from you when hanging out with your friends and house members. Or the late night conversations that you will have with your roommates all throughout your time in college. These are the moments that you will look back on and remember forever.

You do not realize it yet, but you will grow in ways you never thought you could. You will gain confidence in not only God but in yourself as well. You will grow stronger in your walk with the Lord as you walk through pain and suffering during your time at college. You will learn to turn to God, Scripture, and prayer for help during difficult times. You will get better at stepping out of your comfort zone and overcoming your shyness. Most importantly you will realize how important it is to stay on top of doing your quite time because it will give you the motivation and encouragement to get through your days.

You do not realize it yet, but you will grow in ways you never thought you could.

Finally, in everything you do, strive to do it all for the glory of God. Seek to glorify and honor him through everything. Remember to enjoy your time in college and to have fun because it is easy to get caught up in the business of school. You are going to create so many fun and happy memories while in college. Most of all, do not forgot that God is always with you through the good times and the bad. You have so much to look forward to as you start your college journey. Enjoy it because you will be graduating before you know it.

With Love,

Jordan Griffin, Class of ’25