At 20 years old, I am sitting here writing this article on exactly how we can navigate the waters of being in university and the first thought that comes to mind is immense gratitude for the position that I am in, to first and foremost, my creator and then my family.  

The second emotion I have is surprise. Surprise at just how quickly you do in fact ‘grow up’. In University you will find yourself beginning to understand how certain aspects of your life can shift and how easy it is to facilitate such a process. You enter into a period of what some call ‘ the true beginning’. 

One of the biggest changes is discovering just how much of yourself you truly know and how exactly you navigate yourself in situations where you are alone. 

Stemming from this idea of knowing oneself, people often tell me ‘ I thought university is about discovering who I am, can I not wait till I start and then figure it all out?’. Quite honestly I wholeheartedly disagree with this outlook. 

The notion of discovering yourself from scratch at university is a dangerous game.

One of my key pieces of advice for university is to view it through this lens - that university is not a complete transformation but a springboard for foundation that you have already laid down yourself. Ensure that you establish certain boundaries within yourself before you go. Hold yourself accountable to the values that you were taught when you were young. I know that with independence comes freedom and with that comes possibility. View all the possibilities you have in university as ones for positive change, ones for increasing that ‘tawakull’ you have. 

One of the scariest and hard hitting facts about being in university is that we, and us alone are accountable for our own actions. Our mother or father is not there to remind us of those values like they have been all this time. We have to do that for ourselves. 

You must first know who you are and how you think. Then and then only can you truly hold yourself to the standards that you have placed, not your parents,friends or siblings. In this way you will find it easier to navigate issues such as peer pressure. 

How do we do this practically? 

The process ideally should have started before we were born, then as we grow up our parents would have taught us right from wrong, but if that is not the case it is not the end. They say that the thoughts that you have during the little moments to yourself in the day make up for over 60% of who you are. Amy Morrin, a psychotherapist and international bestselling mental strength author, says ‘our thoughts are a catalyst for self-perpetuating cycles. What you think directly influences how you feel and how you behave. Before you come to university, match your thoughts and connect them with Allah, this will build a strong foundation. Whilst you are here there will be ways to further strengthen that foundation; often in the form of finding good friends. 

Coming here to university I have never seen a phrase quite so true, ‘ Show me your friends and I will show you your future’. 

Linking to connecting ourselves with our master, another question I am often asked is how exactly we can balance studying, and also practising our religion. 

My first reply would be, why do we see those two as separate ideas. In my mind they are interlinked, and this thought process continues to make it easy for me to grow closer to my religion. The beauty of a religion like Islam is that we are able to combine the beauty of spirituality with the practicality of action. Allow me to give you an example. Here are my three top tips for establishing success if we view it from an academic lens 

1. Establish Routine - when you wake up for fajr, allow yourself time to get ready for the day, eat breakfast, take a minute for yourself and your maker and head to class. You will find most people rush in late and half asleep ( which is fine once in a while!). View  Esha as a time to wind down, leave your pens, invite friends over, discuss topics and have a laugh. Sleep, knowing you have returned to your lord in a way that is pleasing to him. 

  Acquaint yourself with Allah.

2. Renew your motivation - Reminding ourselves of this ayah will really help us. Allah says in the Quran 

وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَـٰلِحًا قَالَ يَـٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥ هُوَ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱسْتَعْمَرَكُمْ فِيهَا فَٱسْتَغْفِرُوهُ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ إِنَّ رَبِّى قَرِيبٌ مُّجِيبٌ

11:61

Allah says that he has placed us on earth to better it. Cultivating anything that is useful for the earth as a whole is an aspect of Ibaadah. Whether you are a biochemical engineer, a teacher, a doctor, an author - whatever it is that you want to pursue, view it as an act of worship, propel yourself with this idea and you will excel. 

To conclude this article,  I would like you to leave you with this. University is about you. Of course, have fun! It is one of best times of your life, have fun with your friends, explore new hobbies but maintain your standards - do not comprise those for whatever reason and whomever it may be. If, for whatever reason you do find yourself in such a position, remember that life is a journey, do not despair in the ‘Rahma’ of Allah. He knows the challenges we face. There is a reason why there is a special place under the throne of Allah on the day of the judgement for those who were on the deen whilst young. 

May Allah make us from amongst those who are shaded under his throne. 

Ameen.