Student days: After struggling through the admission system, you're offered a place and student life suddenly becomes a reality. One moment you're basking in the glare of summer sun, and the next moment, you're standing in the first of many queues - for your Students' Union card, your Freshers pack, the library tour. Student days bring lots of exciting challenges such as handling unfamiliar situations, making new friends, managing your time and money, sifting through weird and wonderful ideas that presuppose a very different world to your familiar Christian outlook. The more prepared you are the better, so this is a quick list of survival tips. There are a few books on this subject, but none I'd strongly recommend. UCCF Ireland can send you a free copy of the 'Student Starter Kit' which covers the basics from 'faith' to 'food'. The best advice is to talk to people who have been there and returned to tell the tale. Look for people who have developed well through the experience and avoid those who will just dump their string of woes!

"Students with no Christian friends are in danger from the enemy; those with no non-Christian friends haven't even reached the battle field." That's the observation of a senior lecturer at Queens University, Belfast who is concerned about the pitfalls for Christian students. It is possible to cut yourself off from other Christians and try to influence your new pagan friends alone. Most get sucked into the general worldliness and lose a sense of God's standards. On the other hand some appear to live in a protective bubble where every meal, library session and cinema visit is exclusively in the company of Christians.

Tip number one: find the Christian Union! CU's vary from just a couple of people to several hundred. They are in nearly every university and college and are run by students for students. Joining the CU is about stepping on to the front lines of a mission to some of the most reachable people in society. Students may have a reputation of being irreligious pleasure seekers, but often Christians can have a huge impact as they bear witness to Jesus through their lifestyle and attitudes.

To back up this mission there are trained staff who advise and encourage as well as hundreds of supporters who pray and give. You can make a difference as you sign up and discover the CU to be a great launch pad for evangelism. Four general tips for survival:

1. Be ready to work at friendships. Whether you are in a hall of 1000 people or staying at home, you need to put time and effort into building healthy relationships. One lonely student told me "I looked forward to being in the largest group of young people in Northern Ireland, but haven't made any real friends." It is not easy, but remember - be genuine and tell the truth about yourself; be curious about people and listen well; make time to involve people even if it is just going to Tesco's together; and be loyal. People and their friendship don't come cheap so treat them with care.
2. Do not be deceived about sex. It is presented as essential activity, the key to intimacy and route to significance. One student counsellor said: "If I met someone who was 21 and still a virgin I would think there was something seriously wrong, and counsel them on that basis." It is easy to feel odd when truth is rejected and sincerity is the standard for measuring right and wrong. The fact is that there is considerable hurt, often cynicism and a large measure of sexual guilt. God's blueprint for sex is best.

3. Learn how to live on a budget. You get your money at the beginning of term and it will look like an enormous sum, but remember it needs to last up to three months. Subtract the lump sums you have to pay for the whole term (e.g. £400 rent, £200 food etc.) then divide what is left by the number of weeks to show you how little you have each week for everything else. A student loan may be necessary, but it can create a false sense of security.
4. Manage your time. "My time is not as 'divided' as it might be (into working or leisure time) as I spend a great deal of time feeling that I should be working but at the same time consciously descending into a state of vegetation." These are not the words of someone who finds their course boring and daytime TV interesting, just a student who needs to inject organisation into his day. Try to work in 50-minute 'blocks' with a ten-minute break every hour. It is possible to take Sunday off and the incentive of an entire day off helps you work harder through the week. You will not find much help for assignments watching 'Vanessa'!