My beautiful Tewahedo Orthodox sister, as you begin a new school year, whether you’re stepping into high school for the first time or returning once again… whether you’re walking through crowded hallways or across a busy university campus—remember this: You’re not just entering a new academic season. You’re stepping onto a spiritual battleground.
So protect your heart. Guard your eyes, your ears, and your soul. The high school and university environment will expose you to things that are not of God. This includes parties, gossip, ungodly music, impure relationships, and pressure to fit in. Be alert. Satan doesn’t always come loudly. Sometimes he hides in friendships, music, jokes, or even ambition. Remember 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
Fill your space with holiness. Let your room or dorm room be a place where God’s presence is felt. Place a photo of our Blessed Mother, Saint Mary, near your desk or bedside. Let her purity, humility, and quiet strength remind you daily of how a godly woman carries herself. Keep your Holy Bible nearby. If possible, carry a small, personalized one in your backpack. That helped me so much during school. In between classes, I’d open it to read a scripture or two. And in those short moments, I felt grounded. No matter how busy or overwhelming the day became, I was reminded: God is with me.
Study hard. Be disciplined. Do your homework, aim for good grades, prepare well for exams. This is part of honoring God with the mind He gave you. Colossians 3:23 says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” Before you study, take a moment to pray. Before a test, pray. You can even place Bible verses near your desk in your room. Let verses like Philippians 4:13 inspire you. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” is a wonderful verse to encourage you when you’re tired.
Most importantly, please never let school be your reason to skip the Divine Liturgy. The Holy Eucharist is not just part of your life—it is your life. As our Lord said, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you” (John 6:53). Your soul needs this spiritual nourishment even more than your body needs breakfast. Make it a priority to attend church on Sundays. Confess regularly. And when school life feels overwhelming, speak to your spiritual father about it. Do not carry your struggles alone. He is there to guide you and to encourage you.
One of the things that really helped me stay focused in both high school and university was receiving spiritual guidance from my spiritual father and making every part of my day revolve around God. When Christ was at the center of my schedule, everything else found its proper place. Before the textbooks, before the lectures, before the friends, I made sure to begin my day in prayer. I read my Bible daily, even if it was just one chapter. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” and that verse became real for me. I learned to pray without ceasing—on the bus, while walking between classes, even while driving. My heart stayed in constant conversation with Christ through prayer. And even in the busiest academic seasons, I never stopped praying.
I also worked on Fridays and Saturdays. It wasn’t just about earning money—it gave me a clear and simple reason to say “no” to party invitations and weekend distractions that could pull me away from God. When people invited me to things I knew weren’t right, I’d just say, “Sorry, I have to work.” It became a peaceful way to set boundaries that protected my time, my peace, and my walk with Christ. If you can, I encourage you to do something similar. Whether it’s working, volunteering, helping at home, or spending time serving the Church, having a clear purpose helps you stay grounded and avoid unnecessary distractions. And remember this: you don’t owe anyone an explanation for choosing Christ over compromise.
Please, never compromise and don’t lose yourself. Especially when you enter university, the world will try to redefine who you are. It will tempt you to experiment… to be more “open-minded”… to chase a version of “freedom” that often leads to spiritual bondage. But in those moments, pause—and remember who you are…
You are a Tewahedo Orthodox girl.
You are a daughter of the King of Kings.
You are set apart.
So, my beautiful sister, walk with confidence in Christ. Let your choices reflect your identity. And never trade your crown for temporary approval. This is your season to build your future. Your grades matter. Your choices matter. Your faith matters even more. A strong education, guided by strong faith, is the road to success, and a life of purpose.
Stay focused and continue to work hard.
And when the road ahead feels difficult,
keep your faith strong.
Keep going, no matter what—
trusting that God will be with you every step of the way.
Always keep your eyes on the goal. Picture your diploma. Visualize your degree. Envision that wonderful moment when you walk across the stage with joy. When stress and overwhelm start to creep in, pause and think about that day. Every late night, every early morning, every prayer whispered between assignments and before exams—it will all be worth it. You’ll hear your name called, and you’ll walk across that stage with grace. And most of all, you’ll give glory to God who carried you through it all. In that moment, you won’t just be graduating—you’ll be shining as a reflection of what a life surrendered to Christ truly looks like.
So start well, and finish well, my beautiful sister. There’s a diploma, there’s a degree with your name on it waiting for you. And even greater than that, there’s a crown in Heaven, prepared for those who remain faithful to the end.
Stay the course. Keep your eyes on Christ. And never forget—your reward is waiting!
“Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
—Revelation 2:10—
Selam Seyoum
Tewahedo Orthodox Girl 