John Brown University Student Life Blog | JBU: By Students, For Students

Finding a Church

Jun 14 2017

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For many students, going off to college will be the first time that they’re responsible for choosing their own church. This can be a daunting task, but here are some tips: Consider the attributes of the church you grew up in. If you liked the church you grew up in and agreed with the doctrine, see if there are any churches of that denomination in the area. If not, you can look for churches that have similar doctrine. For example, I grew up in the Evangelical Covenant Church and there are no churches like that in Siloam; however, I’ve been[…]

Jun 13 2017

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The change feels immediate. One second we’re driving through the flat, boring Texas panhandle, and the next the bushes have changed to manzanita shrubs and the dirt is red. The land begins to bump and swell into massive mountains. Mallory and I can’t stop grinning. We’re almost there! As the sun sets, the shadows in the mountains deepen and the harsh light turns soft and golden. We pull up to our friend’s house where we’ll be staying for a few days, the cozy adobe blending into the surroundings. In the horizon is Sandia Crest, a mountain range that juts up[…]

Jun 12 2017

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In the next year, you’ll develop a myriad of relationships. One of the most important relationships you will create is with your future roommate. Living with your roommate does not mean that he or she will be your best friend. A few people, like myself, find their roommate becomes their best friend. Very often, someone will not see their roommates for several days. Some will barely be friends. Regardless of the situation, communication is key to a healthy roommate relationship. Here are some ideas to develop your roommate relationship. Contact your roommate- Here’s where you should start a conversation with[…]

Jun 08 2017

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I love running first thing in the morning on the Dogwood Springs Trail, the paved path that snakes through Siloam Springs and rings John Brown’s campus. Morning is the most beautiful time of day, full of the promise of the hours ahead. The sky is tinged with ever-brightening blue as I run by Hutch residence hall and down past the rugby pitch. Ahead of me, I spot three deer making their halting way toward the trees. They’re beautiful and bold because they haven’t seen me yet. I round the corner, and spot the deer turning back the way they came.[…]

Jun 08 2017

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I suffer from Gymtimidation. It’s a real problem. I want to workout but I don’t feel comfortable going into the Walton Health Complex. I’ve never really lifted weights and I don’t know how to use half of the fancy machines in the weight room. I don’t believe in letting my fears control me, though, so in an effort to get in better shape and face my anxieties head on, I sign up for a Weight Training class. What could be better than getting over my cowardice and getting class credit for it? My class gathers in the gym lobby by[…]

Apr 27 2017

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You could spot my friends and I from the other side of the cafeteria. We’d crammed about seven chairs too many around a round table and were laughing uproariously. I clambered over my chair into my spot and moved someone’s wallet to make space for my plate. Sometimes, we were super quiet at lunch, sitting together and just enjoying being still. This time, however, we were being obnoxiously loud. I took a drink of water and noticed there was a little too much attention tossed my way from around the table. I was quick to dismiss it, taking another mouthful[…]

Apr 20 2017

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When drudgery and monotony settle on the campus, the best remedy is to simply leave it. When your mental strength is waning or your willpower is ticking slower and slower, stop, take a breath, and just get away, even if it’s for just 20 minutes. My mom always told me a change of view helps get your mind clear of mental clutter. Take a step back. Take a drive. Take a walk. Downtown Siloam Springs provides several locations that can provide a little escape, such as Café on Broadway, Pour Jons, and other small restaurants. Likewise, the walking trail, which[…]

Apr 05 2017

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My Growth Group leader’s apartment was so welcoming to step into. The smell of freshly baked muffins saturated the air with the rich, appetizing aroma of chocolate. Delicate and ornate stacks of teacups lined a shelf above a basket full of teas, and soft fuzzy blankets were draped over the couches. Tabs, our leader, always greeted us with a hug and a warm, “How are you?” My Growth Group, a student-led on-campus Bible Study, has (somehow) met every year and every semester since my first month at John Brown University. Tabs is single-handedly responsible for the Bible study’s success, continuing[…]

Mar 29 2017

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I blame Billy for this whole fiasco. If he hadn’t mentioned a previous student biking to the sea, Erin and I never would have gotten the idea in the first place. As it was, Billy shared with our small group some of the benefits of studying abroad in Ireland and told us about all the adventures we could have on the weekends. BAM! Erin and I got bit by the adventure bug. It was decided. We were going to bike to the sea. Step One: Rely On Sense Of Direction (Even If You Don’t Have One) Did we research where[…]

Mar 15 2017

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There was one thing at the forefront of my mind as the first semester approached. Friends. Who will they be? What will they be like? What will life with them look like? If you’re like me, community is your lifeline. Trying to do life without it is like being four years old in the wave pool without your floaties. It’s exhausting, and it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning. As I was preparing to come to JBU, I worried about community. The more I thought about it, the more building a community from scratch seemed daunting. I can tell you now that a community of[…]

JBU Life

Finding a Church

A [Spring] Break from Normal

Crafting a Successful and Beneficial Relationship with Your Roommate

Early Morning Jogs

Overcoming A Crippling Fear of Iron

Sprinkle Liberally: Friends are the Salt of Life

Campus Drudgery Is Real: Get Off Campus

Your Life is Precious: Make it Count

A Step-By-Step Guide for an Adventure You Won’t Forget

Community—Finding Your Floaties