Written by Ashley Offenback
Messiah College is what you make of it. Because of the school’s distinct beliefs and traditions, no student is going to love every aspect of the College. The rules will bind some but will set others free. A positive attitude and an open mind are definitely needed to be happy at this school. A passion for helping others and feeling connected will also make your years here more enjoyable because Messiah’s commitments to service and community are what make this school unique. The College greatly encourages service to others by presenting many service opportunities throughout the year, and there is a service requirement in the general education curriculum. As a freshman, be prepared to hear the word “community” repeated very often in chapel, class, and from your RA and RD.
Messiah wants to have an intentional community across campus, and promotes it through every aspect of student life. However, all of this community and togetherness sometimes drives people apart and into cliques and groups, and Messiah definitely has a problem with rumors, snobbery, and generally mean and exclusive behavior. If you find yourself in a situation with these types of people, it can be difficult to get away because of the close-knit community students live in. So, try to surround yourself with positive and uplifting people you meet in class and extracurricular activities, and ignore the downers. At Messiah, the class setting fosters an open atmosphere where students can work to define their beliefs. General education classes and chapel offer opportunities to discuss, challenge, and strengthen your beliefs. By the time a student leaves Messiah, they will know 100 percent what they believe and why they believe it—whether they hold similar views to the ones they came in with or had their convictions transformed completely.