Page 32 - Clearwater Christian College 2005
P. 32
gettin’
into the
groove
(continued from p. 26) We just say, ‘Well, I just want to go home,’
You must realize that when you get stepped on, and you’re down,
you must hear the cry of the Lord,” Dr. Sivnsky said. His message
to persevere and keep the correct focus during tough times encour
aged students struggling with homesickness and frustration.
But freshmen students do not face opening week adjust
ments alone. Upperclassmen also encounter the need to readjust,
some more than others. Joanna Taylor, a transfer senior, who pre
viously attended Bob Jones University and Northland Baptist
Bible College, knows firsthand. “Going to three different conser
vative Christian colleges, I have seen almost every rule in the
book,” Joanna said. “A big adjustment is remembering which
rules went with which schools.” Feeling like a freshman almost ev
ery year at three different colleges does not help, but she comforts
herself with the knowledge that God has directed her here for a
purpose. “Knowing God and having a purpose centered on Christ
helped me keep my focus on Him and not on whatever it was that
went wrong,” she said.
Even returning students must deal with changes every year.
Cassie Hopkins explained, “You are starting over in a different
room with different faces. Getting to know nine or so other girls
and understanding their personalities can be hard, but it can also
be encouraging. You begin to form friendships with your room
mates, and you begin to learn a lot of interesting things about
where they are from, their
“Knowing that God has directed families, and their friends.”
me here is what keeps me going. Nathan Lewis also real
izes the difficulties of open
I know that for right now, this is
ing week but keeps his fo
where He wants me to be. That cus on the reason he came
to school. “Knowing that
is worth everything. ” t o i >
If
God has directed me here is i 1 K J
• 4
1
what keeps me going. I know for right now, this is where He wants
J
me. That is worth everything.”
Seniors understand the adjustments underclassmen face and
offer encouragement. “Opening week reminds me of the Tale of
Two Cities - ‘It was the best of times; it was the worst of times,’”
Jenny Nies said. “When I first came to CCC, the most unnerving
thing was trying to remember everything that was expected of you.
»
It wasn’t until my senior year that I didn’t get butterflies in my
stomach every time I came back for a new school year.” Dr. and Mrs. Jerry opening demands,
Although opening week presents many challenges, students Sivnsky talk with Dr. Sivnsky chal
John Keifer at Con lenged the students
soon fall into a routine with the help of friends, professors, and
vocation. Although to “let their light so
staff. With encouragement, they can focus on Christ’s purpose for understanding of shine before men.”
their lives instead of the daily demands they face. Before long, the
overwhelming adjustments seem less daunting. As Loretta said,
“It’s starting to feel like home.”
