I sat down with Lyndsey Ruckman, a Christian youth leader in Tallahassee, about her college experience so far. She tells us about her daily schedule, activities she is involved in, and some struggles and rewards she’s faced since coming to college. This is Lyndsey’s experience with being a Christian girl at a large university.
Her Campus (HC): Tell us about what you’re involved in at FSU!
Lyndsey Ruckman (LR):I go to Experience Church and am highly involved in Younglife College at FSU and Tallahassee Wyldlife at Montford Middle school. I’m also an assistant volleyball coach for the middle school I youth lead for!
HC: What does your typical day look like?
LR: I usually spend most days in my morning classes and hoping I make it on time to those or even find parking on campus! Throughout the week, after my classes are over, I try to spend at least two to three days a hanging out with my middle school friends at Wyldlife club, getting food before or after school, or even just going over to their houses and hanging out. On other days I spend time with friends. $3 pizookie nights at BJ’s is a weekly occurrence for sure. Other than that, I squeeze in the gym and school work wherever else I can.
HC: Did you have any reservations about coming to a huge party school?
LR: At first it was weird to be in a completely new environment. Coming from my smaller hometown to live in a city characterized by the #9 party school in the country, literally called TallaNASTY, was a change for sure. After living here though I discovered that I was placed here for a reason and that leaving my comfort zone might allow me to help others encounter Jesus.
HC: Was it easy or hard to make friends with likeminded beliefs?
LR: You’d be surprised how much you don’t actually know about the people around you. It’s easy to judge a book by its cover and assume that someone is one way because of the sorority or frat they’re in or the way their life looks like on social media. Taking the time to get to know the people around me truly opened my eyes. It reminded me that a lot of people have the same beliefs I do and actually sparked great conversation for myself and them to talk about how we view practices and beliefs in different ways.
HC: Was it harder to maintain your faith once you became immersed in a new community?
LR: A new community actually helped my faith to grow and branch out more than ever before. I had new beliefs and people around me that could influence my initial thought processes and allow me to reevaluate my own faith and walk with Christ. Hectic schedules in college have forced me to remind myself to be rooted in His word and people that can fill me up in order for me to pour into others.
HC: What’s one challenge you’ve faced since being in college that tested your faith?
LR: One challenge would be separating college life and my faith. The two should always be interjoined and working together but sometimes it’s hard to let my faith be the first thing I talk about or make known to others around me all the time.
HC: Now for some more fun questions! Favorite spots to visit in Tally?
LR: Red Eye Coffee, Lake Ella, Burrito Border, and Trader Joe’s!
HC: Favorite bible verse?
LR: John 15:1-2! “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
Thanks, Lyndsey, for sitting down with us and sharing some parts of your life! Want to reach out to Lyndsey about getting involved? Follow her on Instagram @lyndseyr1212and check out her Christian blog!
All images courtesy of Lyndsey Ruckman.
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