Starting uni can be a daunting experience for most. It’s your first time away from home, and you suddenly no longer have your parents telling you what you can and can’t do.
You’re surrounded by people who don’t hold the same beliefs as you, and they might not understand why you can’t do certain things.
You might fear losing your worship routine or faith, but the fact that you’re reading this shows you genuinely want to stay on the right path as a Muslim uni student.
Here are some tips to help you as a Muslim student.
01
Set Your Intentions
Like most tasks as a Muslim, your intentions are the most important thing when carrying them out. This is what separates doing tasks absentmindedly from doing them for the sake of Allah and earning a greater reward.
To achieve a state of confidence in your actions and behaviours, sit down with yourself and reflect on why you’re doing what you’re doing and who you’re doing it for. Without these answers, you can easily find yourself falling in the wrong crowd or acting in a way that you or Allah wouldn’t be proud of.
02
Get Involved In Societies
Being firm in your beliefs doesn’t have to be boring. You’re at university and you’ve worked hard to get here, so remember to have fun. This might look a little different from what you’ve heard or seen on TikTok, Instagram or Netflix, but that’s okay!
Societies are a great way to make friends, but making sure these societies are appropriate is also something to keep in mind. A great way would be to check if your university has an Islamic society. They regularly host events, such as dinners, hikes, pottery painting, calligraphy classes and lectures for you and your fellow Muslim brothers and sisters to enjoy (you might even see a Roots workshop being hosted at your uni!).
03
Volunteer
Volunteering is great because it not only allows you to help your community, but also gain valuable life experience to add to your CV. Even better if you volunteer with a Muslim organisation because you get to spend your time surrounded by people who will remind you of Allah swt.
At Roots, we’re constantly looking for volunteers to help Muslims live more god-centred lives. To see our most recent vacancies, click here
04
Pass Your Tests
No, I’m not talking about your uni work. Well, maybe that too, but in this instance, it refers to tests from Allah SWT.
At university, you’re going to be tested no matter how hard you try to avoid it; Allah SWT puts us in situations on purpose, and what we choose to do in those situations is what is important.
You might find yourself in a situation where it would be easier to sin than it would be not to. In that case, try to remember this ayah:
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Everyone goes through difficulties, and after comes the relief.
Think about when you’re studying for an exam, those days leading up to it are the worst. Your days are spent studying, stressing, and you feel hopeless. But after your exam, a weight lifts off your shoulders because it’s over, and you get to enjoy your holidays. Just hold on, and with time it will pass, God willing.
05
Final Thoughts
While your parents might not be there to tell you what you can and can’t do, remember they have your best interests at heart, so take the time to think about why they stopped you from doing certain things and ask yourself if you’d be proud of yourself for the decisions you make.
University is what you make of it, get involved, spend time with Muslim brothers and sisters, try new things, and most of all, do it for the sake of Allah SWT.