School School School! (yes that is a HIMYM reference)

Howdy, 
Halfway through week 1 of fall semester, looks like it will be a killer, full of math, chemistry, and molecular biology. (eww) My most exciting class though is Animal Science 174 which is a beef cow-calf management lab. I will get my own cow, halter train it and present it in a showmanship class. I plan on naming it moofasa. (yes that is a lion king reference) OH and i almost sat in a lecture that wasnt even mine (i actually didnt even have class then...slightly embarrassing).

What has really been on my mind though is a question i received by a visitor last sunday at church. I told her how i had gone to a private christian high school since pre-K and the transition to a large public university. She asked me how life was like as a Christian at a secular university. In the moment i did not really know what to say. Honestly i dont notice most people in my classes since i sit in the first row and cant see everyone. Then afterwards i retreat to the quiet of the library to study or just to relax. 

Upon futher thought though, i did realize that my faith does make a difference on my everyday life even in class. For example, last semester i took human development 205, which for me was too touchy-feely and at times felt like a slumber party where you tell all your secrets and what has happened in your life to shape your decisions. In that though I was able to share my faith.

I would say that my faith shapes how i view the world and treat others. That my faith guides my actions and is basically the foundation for everything.

What i was shocked to find out though is by me sharing this with my classmates, they felt more comfortable sharing their beliefs. Surprisingly (in a good way) a majority of my peers said they were christian and actually attended church, and this was coming from people who were in sororities and fraternities! (so much for stereotypes. did i mention i almost joined a sorority? story for later) -random thought..if a fraternity is a 'frat', then is a sorority a 'sore'?..

While the 'culture shock' of being surrounded by loud obnoxious parties/people and having to learn evolution based material has not hit me as hard as others, it still is at times difficult. I see it as a way for me to grow and learn.

 My advice is to become part of a community with like minded individuals.  In this way we can be spurred on in Christ with a support system. I loved/love it when i was/am homesick and of the adults invites me to lunch or their house. Pullman in this way has truly become a home for me. 


-Hannah Dykes