With high school winding down, college applications piling up and that haunting question—"Where will I go to college?"—ringing in your ears, it's easy to lose focus. Even if you manage to keep track of what you're supposed to be doing, you might forget why.

Yeah, you have people to please and expectations to meet, but is that kind of motivation really going to get you through the whirlwind year ahead? In a word, no. What you need is vision—a picture of the future that produces passion in the present.

Do you have a vision for the next several weeks, months and years? Sit down with God's Word and think it through, using the questions and passages below as a starting point.

You are now entering senioritis season, marked by contagious slacking and rampant rationalizing. But even though you'll soon be moving on to bigger things, you're still a Christian witness and an example to underclassmen. Don't let your guard down now.

Read Galatians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 4:12. Your perseverance, even when senioritis hits, will result in a good "harvest"—your hard work will pay off. And if you form and maintain good spiritual habits, you'll be an example to other people in your life—not only to underclassmen, but also to people older than you.

Ask yourself: What foundation have I laid for myself academically, socially and spiritually over the past three years? What steps can I take to solidify my own growth, and the growth of those around me, before I leave?

College is going to present challenges, questions and opportunities you've never dreamed of. You'll need a solid sense of who you are, what you believe and what you want to get out of the four important years. And even though you can't be sure exactly what you'll face, you can still prepare yourself.

When the Apostle Peter encouraged Christians to "prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled" (1 Peter 1:13, NIV), he offered them important advice for uncertain times. It's good advice for you as you think about getting ready for life as a college student and young adult.

Think: How can you prepare yourself academically for your first-semester courses? How can you gear up emotionally for leaving home and making all new friends? How can you become spiritually ready to find a church and keep up your devotional life?

It might seem a little early to start thinking about your college graduation, but you have to remember that college is only one part of the big picture of your life. It's also a huge investment of time and money. So think now about why you're going to college. Giving the matter some thought now will give you direction in college and beyond.

In Jeremiah 29:11, God reminds the people of Israel that he has important plans for them, plans to give them "hope and a future" (NIV). This is a truth Christians often cling to as we seek God's will for our lives—and think of ways he wants us to live and serve.

Ask yourself: What do I think God might be calling me to do in the world? If you're not absolutely sure, are you keeping your options open? How can college best prepare you for a future occupation, Christian service and life in general? Imagine yourself at age 25. What kind of person do you want to be?

Copyright © 2007 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.
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