Tips for Recruiting New Students: The Grass is Green

By Jonathan Lo, ACT:S Faith and Justice Fellow

Here are a couple things we know about the first week of school:

1. Campuses spend good money ensuring their grass is green and healthy for all the students.

2. There is a buzz at school as students return to their respective campuses.

3. Students hang out a lot on the grass from #1.

Remember when you first took a step on campus?

After you moved all your big boxes into your little dorm room, did you sit there waiting and hoping that your new roommate will be fairly organized, respectful and hygienic? After the school-organized parties that you went to with the guys or girls on your floor, did you still return to your room feeling lost and overwhelmed?

The first week of school is a great time to start building new friendships, especially with freshmen. Naïve and energetic, freshmen want to be a part of something bigger than themselves; to really make a difference in the world. The paralysis that comes with age (well, we like to call it “wisdom” and “practicality”) has not yet trampled on these young souls.

Given your drive to combat social injustices with a God who is all-loving and all-powerful, wouldn’t you like to invite others along for the journey? Make use of the time when new students desire friendship and purpose. A little bit of extra effort and love can make magnitudes of difference in someone’s life.

New students, like grass, can either be nurtured or mindlessly walked over. Right now, the grass is green: what will you do with it?

Some practical tips:

Have intentional conversations about your passions and the passions of the new students. LISTEN.

Remember that freshmen are PEOPLE and not business opportunities.

● Invite freshmen along to your activities and also go to activities they want to go to.

● If you are involved with a World Vision ACT:S chapter, set up a booth at your campus’ student organization day (where clubs set up booths and advertise to “recruit” new members).

● Organize a Day of Prayer and Action to help rally the campus.

● Invite people to a video screening that has to do with social justice.

● Be creative about how you meet new students.

● Be quick. Once new students find a group of friends to cling to, they are much less likely to try something out of their comfort zone.

Start planning for next year and organize a Day of Prayer and Action around October 1 to rally your campus or community around creatiding a modern-day Book of Acts with our lives!