“Ask a Priest: What If I’m Losing My Faith After a Month in College?”

Q: I’ve been at college for about a month now and have realized that my faith has been weakened a lot. God is not my priority anymore, and I find it a struggle to find time to pray since I’m constantly surrounded by others, doing homework and just straight up tired. I’ve noticed the effects of this in my own sin, now being open to sins I used to not be interested in at all. I’ve been drinking underage and constantly thinking about premarital sex. I still know it’s bad, but I am not sensitive to it as I used to be. I can see myself falling down a rabbit hole knowing that if I don’t do something soon God won’t be a priority in my life. My campus does not have any faith groups to join, but I have been going to church on Sundays. I have two Christian friends, but their faith is weak like mine, and they are open to a lot of sins just like me. I don’t know what to do. – J.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: You have discovered very quickly how aggressive the world and the devil can be, and how shaky your faith really is. This is the reality you need to deal with.

The good news is that you can pull out of this tailspin. But you need to do it quickly.

Try to get to confession as soon as possible. It would be good to reach out to a nearby parish and see what resources are available for students in the area.

And think about having a heart-to-heart talk with your Christian friends. Suggest that the three of you need to produce a plan (fast!) to give yourselves a social and prayer life that will sustain your faiths.

And again, do this sooner than later. Campus life can be overwhelming, as you are already learning.

But God’s grace can be there to help.

If you don’t start to see improvement — or if things get progressively worse — you might think of transferring to a more hospitable school or even taking a sabbatical from college.

You might even consider switching to a community college where you live, which would enable you to commute while living at home.

Don’t be afraid of thinking of radical changes. A lot is at stake.

For now, dedicate time to prayer. If you have time to party, you have time to pray. The ball is in your court.

Count on my prayers.

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