Free Web Hosting Provider - Web Hosting - E-commerce - High Speed Internet - Free Web Page

The Catholic Student Site: Off to a Good Start!


Off to a good start Study Ideas for the Catholic Student Heavenly Exam Helpers St. Thomas Aquinas: Advice for Students Prayers for students Main Menu

Off to a Good Start!

All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. (Col. 3:17)

Why the Schoolwork?

Did you ever stop to wonder why you are going to school?

Perhaps you have a goal to enter a certain career, and you know your studies are leading you to the fulfillment of that goal.

Whether or not you know how you will use your education later in life, your schoolwork, like everything else in your life, is a means to help you become a saint. Yes! It's true - there is a spiritual reason why you are studying, as well! "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:13. Everything that we do, whether important or insignificant, must be done as a humble "yes" to God's will. We should always work with the intention to glorify and serve God, rather than acting "because we have to," or for our own pleasure.

Beginning each new activity, whether school-related or not, with the intention to glorify God is an excellent way to keep in mind Whom we are really working for. When you know you are studying for God, it helps you to do your best, and hard or boring work doesn't seem quite so unpleasant once you think that you can please and glorify our heavenly Father by doing it well!

see also Study Ideas for the Catholic Student

Start With a Prayer

Sure, a student's life is busy! Classes, homework, exams, sports, activities - where does the time to talk to God come in? We don't always have time to pray for long stretches of time, so we say that we have "no time to pray." But there is a simple way to keep the thought of God always present in your mind. It's something the saints were careful to do often, and you can imitate them in it: simply begin each new activity with a prayer.

And it doesn't have to be a very long prayer, either! Even simply making the Sign of the Cross reminds us of God and the sufferings of Jesus for our salvation. The Sign of the Cross also gives you a partial indulgence each time you make it. Or, you could make up a short prayer such as, "My God, I offer this schoolwork for your glory," or "Jesus, help me to work well." If you prefer a longer prayer to offer your work to God, there are many such prayers in prayerbooks. View some of our favourite prayers for offering daily work to God, or our collection of prayers for students!

Dedicating Your Schoolwork

Here's another idea: at the beginning of the school year (or later, if you don't happen to think of it earlier), pick a saint or saints for your special study helper, and ask them to help you in your studies. At the same time, make a firm resolution to use your studies for the glory of God, and to use them to accomplish HIS will in your life.

Make a ceremony out of it: bring your books and binders and notebooks - whatever you'll be using during the year - and place them at the feet of a crucifix, or holy statue (or you could bring a few representative books to a church and place them before the altar as you make your resolution before the Blessed Sacrament) to symbolize your complete willingness to use your studies to serve God. If possible, get a holy card of the saint you have chosen as your patron, and stick it to the inside of one of your books, to remind yourself to pray to him or her for guidance during your studies.