October and November are pivotal months for students at The Master’s University. During this time, they are navigating academic demands, campus social activities, chapel, and church obligations. For parents, this period presents a unique opportunity to support their students by encouraging them to stay grounded and maintain a healthy balance between academic performance and Bible study/spiritual growth. However, it’s a delicate recipe of offering help without overstepping your student’s growing independence.
At this point, as parents, our role can be to act as a listening ear. Regular check-ins, whether through calls, texts, or even care packages, show that we’re there for them without being overbearing. Sometimes, just knowing that they can talk openly about their struggles can ease the burden they may be carrying. And even though keeping the lines of communication open is crucial, it’s equally important to give them space to grow. So, sometimes it may be best to simply acknowledge their feelings and ask questions that encourage them to find their own solutions – rather than solving the problem for them. Ask open-ended questions like, “How are you handling everything?” rather than asking them specific queries about grades or assignments. This may crack the door open for them to share what’s on their mind, and from there, we can gently offer advice if they’re open to it. And don’t forget to offer encouragement along with sound advice. College is a significant adjustment, and our students are learning how to manage it one step at a time. So, hearing words of reassurance from us can give them the confidence to keep going forward when things get tough.
Another way we can help is by encouraging them to manage their time wisely. Time management is a skill that will serve them well, not only during college but also in their future careers. Proverbs 12:24 says, “The hand of the diligent will rule, But the slack hand will be put to forced labor.” Encourage your students to work diligently, recognizing that their academic efforts are part of their stewardship of the talents and opportunities God has given them. However, it’s important to balance diligence with rest. God designed us to rest and renew our strength. So, encourage your student to step away from the screen, take a walk, or spend a little time away from studies with friends before returning to complete their assignment. Then, make time for a good night’s rest. On a more practical level, remind them that it’s okay to seek academic help. TMU provides resources such as tutoring centers, academic counseling, writing labs, and study groups to support students.
The biggest challenge for students during these months is managing social expectations alongside their academic responsibilities. TMU is not just about passing exams and earning a degree — it’s about learning and growing into the person God has called them to be. This is a season of self-discovery. Students understand more clearly the profound truth found in Scripture. They are figuring out how they are to walk in and live out what they believe. While, as Christian parents, we recognize they are becoming independent young adults, we can still provide wisdom from afar. We appreciate that friends and a social life are a big part of the college experience, but we also understand that they can sometimes distract us from achieving our goals.
Proverbs 13:20 says, “He who walks with the wise will be wise, but the friend of fools will suffer harm.” So, encourage your students to seek out friends who will encourage their faith, hold them accountable, and challenge them to grow spiritually. Suggest they set boundaries that allow them to participate in social activities without sacrificing academic performance or their personal private time in God’s Word. Help them to keep their perspective. Also, remind them that setbacks are a part of life and that what matters most is how they handle those challenges. Encourage them to persevere when challenges arrive. Pray for the time and space to have these types of conversations so you can support your student as they think biblically and critically about their decisions.
One of the most important things we can do as parents during this mid-semester period is to be available. The conversations we have with our students during this time are more than just check-ins about school — they’re opportunities to remind them that they are loved and supported. Sometimes, that simple reminder is all they need. By offering encouragement for their independence and spiritual growth — through much prayer — we can walk alongside our students as they navigate these mid-semester months. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
