The Third Degree

The radio was still on when I opened my bleary eyes. I must have dropped off to sleep the night before without turning it off. The last few weeks of term had been hard work. I rolled over, giving myself ten more minutes under the duvet. Then it hit me — ten more minutes wasn’t an option.

Today was graduation day and I needed to get up. I threw back the duvet and jumped out of my bed, stubbing my toe on a chair as I did so. I proceeded to hop around clutching my toe looking for the piece of paper that told me what time I must report for the ceremony. I was due downstairs in an hour…

I was one of 500 graduands who paraded into Durham Cathedral in their gowns and fluffy white hoods, as our doting parents lined either side of the procession. More cameras were on display than in Jessops. Grannies and Grandads, brothers, sisters, mums, dads, even pet dogs turned up for this memorable event in the university calendar.

I think I was more excited about shaking the hand of Bill Bryson, our Chancellor, than I was about actually collecting my degree. But collect my degree I did. Bryson then entertained those present with a humorous but humanistic ten-point talk on life.
But what about those who are yet to graduate — what pointers can a recent graduate give to students at university, or those in the nerve-wracking position of waiting for A level results to determine whether they can go to uni or not? I have five, not ten points.

Make…friends

This is something I’ve had to work really hard at. One thing I learned early on is that (thankfully) not everyone is like me. Whether it is in the CU, lecture hall, sports team or whatever, people are very different. I remember in week one I found out that a Christian on my corridor was bi-sexual. I responded in a very critical manner and it wasn’t helpful at all. Thankfully she forgave me and we later became good friends; I listened to her struggles, and we worked together for the gospel. You will never have an opportunity like uni again.

Make…the most of the opportunities

Join the ski-diving society or the debating club. Whatever it is that really gets you excited or you’ve never done before — give it a go. You’ll have some great experiences, it will help you make friends, look good on your CV, and will help you meet not-yet-Christians who, through living differently, you can be a good witness to.

Make…plans

Make the most of your three months summer holiday! It’s bliss. Don’t waste it, because when you graduate, and your employer tells you that you only have five weeks leave all year, you’ll soon wish you had done more with your student holidays. Get a job, go on a mission trip, or spend some time travelling if you can. Again, it is all very good for the CV, but more than that it will broaden your life experience. If you don’t have the money, why not work during the Christmas and Easter breaks and get away in the summer?

Make…good habits

The things we start as students usually become habits. Unfortunately, going to bed before midnight is almost impossible for me, having established a pattern of late nights through my time at university. What is more unfortunate is that I still usually get up at 7.00 am! Good habits though, like regular Bible reading, prayer and evangelism, which can be cultivated well at university, will stick with you for the rest of your lives. It’s up to you to ensure you are nurturing good habits and not bad ones. Why not team up with a couple of friends to keep each other in check with the habits you’re forming? Do it before it’s too late.

Make…Christ known

Finally, but perhaps most importantly, make Christ known in everything you do. In all of the points above, you can be a good witness and it isn’t just an added extra — God commanded us to be witnesses to him, which involves obeying him when it suits us and when it doesn’t. One of the things I got involved in at Durham was the student radio station. My producer and I became quite good friends. We talked about Christian things every now and again, but there was so much more I could have done. Thankfully, there were times when I was able to do what is expected, and, thanks to God, with some incredible results. Don’t collect your degree wishing you had taken opportunities that you let pass by. At all costs, to students, lecturers, cleaners, whoever it is, day or night — make Christ known.

College? Don't do what I did!

Make…friends

Make…the most of the opportunities

Make…plans

Make…good habits

Make…Christ known

Jonathan Carswell

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