Beau's Journal « First-Year Student Journals

Starting Over

September 1, 2005 | 15 comments

When I first came to Biola I was definitely excited. What a change for me, coming from a small secular community college. At first I was more than just excited; I was also a bit nervous.

For me to come here I had to leave behind the last four years of my life in Hemet, which were the only years of my life that I was really a Christian, and that was a hard thing to do. I had built friendships there, I was active in youth ministry with an awesome group of people, and I knew people who cared about me and who were there for me when I needed them. I was starting a new chapter in my life, which was very exciting, but it was hard to recognize that I had to first finish an old one.

My friend Jeff encouraged me by reminding me that as Christians we are transitory people who live as strangers in this world and that our lives are to be lived for Christ and for the future kingdom. We have hope and assurance that wherever we go Christ is with us. We are called to be active in the world for the King and that means that sometimes we must move on from where we are for the greater things that God wills for us to do.

My first week at Biola was nothing less than exhilarating. I wasn't too sure what my roommates would be like and since I am a 26-year-old transfer student I really didn't want to share a room with freshmen (our perspectives on life are just too different to share a room together for a year). But Biola took that into consideration and put me in a three-person room in Thompson Hall with two of the best roommates ever.

Jeremy and Kevin are both 24-year-old transfer students and we all get along great. Our dorm room is pretty nice even though we have three people living in it. We've worked our arrangement out so that we are all happy with the set up. My roommates Kevin and Jeremy are both music majors so my goal is to have them teach me how to play the guitar at some point over the next few years. My worries about roommates have now faded away and I am nothing but thankful to be where I am, not to mention the fact that the hall I'm in is filled with transfer students who have similar outlooks on life. (Freshmen have too much energy for us transfers.) =)

I was aware of the fact that in coming to Biola my coursework would become harder. I've finished my general education classes and now I am able to just work on my 30 units of Bible as well as courses for my major. In all honesty, though, the work is pretty intense. I didn't realize how much harder I would have to work to keep up in my classes than I did at the community college.

The teachers are all great and wonderful men and women of God who have a passion for their students to learn and grow in Christ and they are more than willing to work with us outside of class to help us understand the material we are struggling with. The teacher to student ratio is so small that I can have direct access to any of my teachers and I can get help from them in my homework and in my test preparation. One of my teachers even gave his students his home phone number and encouraged students to call him whenever they have questions.

Above all, I love being at a school where everyone is a Christian. People are praying together and listening to Christian music when I walk by. I have met many people just by walking around the campus or getting involved with some of the small fellowship groups that Biola offers. I'm in the process of building great new friendships with my brothers and sisters in Christ here at Biola, and this is just in the first few weeks! I am very excited about what is going to take place in my life here over the coming years.

Comments

Carla Marquez said... on Nov 10, 2005

Beau, you are such a cool guy! I'm so excited for you to be at BIOLA! I Pray Blessings for you this year in every area of your life! Talk to you later, brother. -Carla:)
p.s. Wonderful Pictures!

Jonathan Pilzon said... on Nov 10, 2005

Hey Friend, Beau it is nice to have you on our floor you are by far the funniest guy in our halls except for me. Its been great debating about John Calvin and other theological issues its been SUPER!!! Please keep up your great attitude and humor. Take care, God bless.

Jeff Cervantez said... on Nov 10, 2005

Beau you Rock!!! You're so photogenic, you handsome stud you. Keep up the good work.

Kevin Krogstad said... on Nov 10, 2005

Ah Beau.... you are the greatest roomate ever!!!

Rebekah said... on Nov 10, 2005

Hey, hey! Way to represent We-T-Li!

Charyla said... on Nov 10, 2005

Beau, don't let all those nice things people said about you go to your head!!! And I hope closing chapters in your life doesn't mean we are toast?? We are really thrilled to see you walking with God and getting a great education. Continuing prayers for you, buddy.

kim said... on Nov 11, 2005

hey beau!!
you are one cool dude and im glad we met! you have yet to mention all the exciting crazy things that happen at Biola! =P Im excited to see what other revelations you bring on here in the future!

cathy said... on Nov 11, 2005

I miss your laugh, your intellect, and your smiling face, but I'm so happy that you are at Biola and growing in new areas of your life. You (and your family) are in my prayers. Love-Cathy

Tanner said... on Nov 11, 2005

Beau!!!! What a stud!! I love reading your biography, and above all your amazing comments and discussion in Christian Thought. For all reading, this guy is amazing intelligent and an awesome man of God. Keep the journals comn'n!!

Tiffany said... on Nov 11, 2005

Beau. You know that your coming to Biola has been one of the loudest and most entertaining things that has ever happened to those of us in our, ummm, Math 'club' thing. I'm so excited that this chapter of your life gets to be here and we get to share in your life (and your laugh). You pretty much make me smile all the time!

Justin K said... on Nov 19, 2005

Hey Beau! It's great to hear that you're doing real good at Biola! It must be really cool to be at such a diverse campus in the heart of LA, meeting all kinds of people from different backgrounds and everyone has completely different philosophies and ideas.

I know you're a bit worried about your upper division math classes that you'll probably have to take for your philosophy major, but don't worry they don't actually get any harder, the numbers just get bigger. I actually had to buy a bigger calculator because the screen couldn't hold enough numbers.

Anyway, keep reading sword of the spirit, take careful notes with your straight shooter (it'll keep you attentive) and I'm sure you'll see good academic success!

God Bless,
Justin

Gail Patches said... on Nov 21, 2005

Haha...Beau's laugh is the greatest.

You've got a truck load of comments here man. If I didn't know you...I'd say you're a pretty popular dude. ;) lol...just kidding.

Amanda said... on Nov 22, 2005

Hey Beau! sorry it took me so long...you rock! Even though we haven't hung out much the times we have has been a blast! Yay for transporter 2!! Can't wait for the 3 rd one!! :) see you around!

liz said... on Apr 21, 2006

thanks for sharing; you make me remember to be thankful for being at a school like biola. god bless!

Katelyn said... on Apr 27, 2006

To CEVII:
I am a nursing major who is going to start clinical nursing in the fall of 2006. I know of a girl in our nursing program who is doing torrey. So it is possible; however, she is not double majoring (especially not in music). Nursing is hard enough without adding the stress of Torrey... and since acceptance into the program is extremely competative, I would urge you to focus on getting the best grades that you can. I suggest picking one major and running with it. If you would like to speak with me further about this, please email me at: katelyn4him4ever@yahoo.com

blessings on your decision, it is a rough one.

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