I'm 25 percent of the way done with another chapter of my education. Only three more years before I graduate with a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Social Work. I've needed the last month or so to think, read, and relax before I was really able to reflect on my first year in divinity school. Throughout the year, I've been asked "How do you like Duke Divinity?" and I never quite knew what to say. And, I still don't.

I really have a love-hate relationship with my school, which is a pattern that started back in my undergrad. Rather then try to delve into those complexities, I will offer what I have learned this last year in the way of advice to incoming students. To be fair, I stole this idea from my friend Meghan. Why reinvent the wheel when she came up with such a great idea?

So, in the spirit of Meghan's list (attach link), with both seriousness and a bit of humor, here is my advice:

Find a church. It doesn't really matter which one. But find a church and get plugged in. Your classmates are a part of the body of Christ, yes, and will be a great source of support, but sometimes you need more. Getting plugged into a church will give you much needed support, will help you remember why you are in divinity school in the first place, and will keep you from getting stuck in the seminary bubble that can easily consume your life.  You may very well change some of your theological opinions during your time at divinity school, and that's ok. If need be, you can change churches. But, go and get plugged in anyways. Being at a church will remind you what you are in divinity school for in the first place, to serve the church.

Skip church. Occasionally. I know that is counterintuitive to my last point. Just as you need to find a church and get plugged in, you need to give yourself a break every once in awhile. Church is great, but sometimes it can be stressful, especially if you are in divinity school. If you don't take a Sunday break occasionally, you may find yourself dreading going someday. Don't let that happen. Remember that sometimes you just need a Sunday morning to sleep in, read the New York Times, go to Ihop (or even better, a local breakfast place) and eat pancakes and journal.

Remember why you are at school and live accordingly. For some of you, you are going into your graduate program to prepare yourself for a career. A lot of divinity students are going to go be pastors. In such cases, grades don't matter—learn what you came to school to learn, which means caring for people and leading a church. Which may mean you need to get practice doing said things, which may mean less time in the books. By all means, READ AND LEARN. Don't be one of those students that just does the degree so they can fulfill requirements. The classes that make up your degree will help you. But, if it comes down to being able to lead a Bible study in a local church and get a B in church history, or to get an A in church history but not have time to do the Bible Study, I'd say to go for the Bible Study. Your parishioners will not know, or care, if you get a B, or even a C!  For others, especially those who plan on going to more school, grades matter more. But in this case, take classes you want to take. I want to study continental philosophy and identity politics. My B in Old Testament really won't make or break my acceptance into a doctoral program.

Practice the Sabbath. It will be worth it, and God tells us to. Listen to God, she's smart.

Don't ride motorcycles. Ok, that's a lie. I think you should ride motorcycles. They are cost efficient, you can get fantastic parking, you don't have to ever worry about traffic, and they are one of the best stress relievers in the world. Rather, don't fall off one. Or, you'll end up stuck in a wheelchair for a few months, followed by a few months of crutches, and even more months of physical therapy. Not to mention a few thousand in bills, even after insurance kicks in. Not a good thing to deal with when you are a graduate student, especially when you are starting a new graduate program. So, ride motorcycles, but, be safe, and be careful.

Go to the doctor. This naturally follows my motorcycle advice. But, even if you don't fall off a motorcycle and have to go to the doctor twice a week, go at least once a year. You are paying health fees anyways, you might as well get your moneys worth, and a trip to student health is free. Make sure you are in good health to avoid not being so later in the year when life is more stressful. If you are at Duke, I recommend Dr. Lauren Johnson, she is incredible.

Go to a therapist. Just as going to the doctor is wise in terms of health and finances, so is going to a therapist. It is likely that never again are you going to be able to see a therapist for that cheap (at Duke, its actually free), and regardless of how impressed with yourself and your health you are, it is great to have someone listen in a completely non-judgmental way. And, hell, being a graduate student is stressful, this is incredible stress management.

Be bold. Speak up for your convictions. Even if you are terrified. Audre Lorde says it best in her poem A Litany for Survival: "and when we speak we are afraid, our words will not be heard, nor welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak, remembering, we were never meant to survive." So speak up.

Read for fun. You will be reading a lot for school (but, don't try to read everything, its just not worth it… and possibly not even possible) but reading for fun will help you remember why you love school and love reading. Put a good book by your bed, and read that before you go to bed instead of Aquinas.

Read the paper. Read blogs. Buy a few magazines. Basically, do something to stay connected to the outside world. Don't succumb to the academic bubble; if you're at Duke, what we call the "Duke Disneyland Bubble."

Don't go on the internet in class. Ok, this is one of those do what I say not what I do things again. But really, you likely pay a ridiculous sum of money to go to school, don't waste your money on scrabulous, gmail, and facebook. You can search those things for free, at other times when professors aren't saying what may be really important stuff.

Know your limits (drinking wise) also soda/caffeine wise.  We all struggle with balance. Try to keep as much of it as you can. Studying is great. A good beer is great. Starbucks is great. Exercise is great. None of these things are so great that they should consume your life.

Splurge. Occasionally. It's hard to live on a cheap budget. Eating ramen, spaghetti, or beans and rice every night, and only drinking PBR will certainly help your budget. But, every once in a while, treat yourself. You deserve it. Buy a Guinness, go out to dinner, or go shopping. Plan your budget so you have some money to splurge when you need it. Or, set out a rainy day jar that you put all your change in, and when you just want to splurge, when you need to splurge, use it.

Take at least one class you know you will like. Even if it doesn't go with what the suggested schedule tells you to do. This will help you keep your sanity when you have to take all the basic first year classes.

Enjoy being a student. If you don't, you shouldn't be paying so much money to do it. And when again in your life are you going to get to pick your own hours, wear pajamas during the day, and get to go to the gym for free?

Respect people who are different then you. Try really hard not to assume things, and be honest about your own ignorance. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even if they sound stupid or even offensive.

Try not to think of everyone as a potential spouse. Please. Get to know people for friendships. Maybe a relationship will come in somewhere. Maybe not. But it is annoying as hell to others when people befriend you because they are trying to find a spouse, and people can see through it. So, stop, please.

If you like them, and you can, have a pet. They will teach you responsibility, and can be a great stress reliever, not to mention a good way to get exercise.

Exercise. Taking care of your body is important. And it will help your mind.

Orientation is silly. Don't waste your time. This may be horrible advice, and any student affairs person who may read this may scowl and shame me, but I'm sticking to it. Time is money. And your wasting it spending days hearing things you can quickly read and that you will likely figure out naturally. And its not like you are going to build deep relationships because of orientation. You'll naturally gravitate to people you want to be friends with. No need to stress out, and waste your time listening to boringness. Enjoy a few more days of summer instead.

Make new friends and keep the old. It's easy to get caught in the hubbub of the new life of graduate school. In such times, it's easy to forget about all your friends who are in different locations. Keep up with their lives. At the same time, don't let your old connections keep you from devoting time and energy to new friends. The old song was right. At least I think so.

Chill. Enjoy life. Enjoy school. Take deep breaths and don't stress out too much.