Five Habits for a New Seminary Student
Beginning your degree at Southern is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming. After speaking with numerous students, I've identified five key habits that can help you navigate your first semester well. While this list isn’t exhaustive, it provides a practical foundation for thriving in seminary as an online student, especially when combined with wisdom from your fellow students who've walked this path ahead of you.
But before we dive into practical habits, there's an even deeper principle to consider: Guard your heart carefully. The pursuit of theological education is deeply enriching, but there's a subtle danger, replacing your passion for knowing God personally with a passion solely for knowledge about Him. Seminary is not an end in itself; it’s equipping you for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Keep your eyes fixed on your calling and mission by cultivating spiritual disciplines like prayer, Scripture meditation, and personal worship. Prioritize the health of your soul now, because what matters most is not the grade you receive, but the person you become through your studies. As C.S. Lewis wisely reminds us, “Put first things first and we get second things thrown in: put second things first and we lose both first and second things.”
1. Schedule and Start Early
Add your courses to the calendar like any other appointment. Pick a regular time and place each week, then tackle lectures, readings, and discussions as soon as the module opens. Time rarely appears later - it usually disappears. A strong Monday and Tuesday push leaves room for the interruptions that Thursday and Friday always bring. As one student has said, “Try to work ahead when possible. It’s a lot of work, but it pays off."
2. Accept the Challenge and the Trade-Offs
Theological training will stretch your mind and your schedule. Other commitments will compete for your study hours. Decide now what can wait. Saying no for a season isn’t failure; it is how serious goals get accomplished.
One student that is finishing his degree puts it plainly: “Be prepared to be flexible. Communicate and participate, but don’t overload yourself with too many classes at one time.”
3. Read with a Plan and Purpose
There is a lot of reading in seminary, probably more reading in a condensed timespan that you’ve ever done in your life. Therefore, it is imperative to learn to read well in seminary. It is very easy to begin to read slow and devotionally each book for a class, especially given the Before opening a book, know why you’re reading it. Set a timer for the time you have allotted and try to finish your goal within that time limit. A timer will help you stay more focused and also be a tangible reminder if reading is taking longer than you expected. As one student reminds said in a survey, “Learn to read a lot of material efficiently and annotate. You won’t remember where that quote came from later.”
4. Do a Weekly Review
Every week, spend five minutes asking two questions: What worked last week, and what needs adjusting? Check your calendar, reading progress, and any lingering assignments. Re-block study hours, move tasks forward, and clear the clutter before the next week. Small course corrections keep minor slips from becoming major stress. One student’s system: “Print the syllabus, turn it into a weekly checklist, and make progress on something every day.”
5. Measure Faithfulness, Not the Grade
Grades matter, but they’re not ultimate. Your ministry cares about your character than your transcript. When demands collide, ask, “What does faithfulness look like today – to God, my family, my ministry, and this class?” Sometimes that means completing an assignment well. Other times it means accepting a lower score to keep a promise elsewhere.
Bonus Tip: Utilizing Resources Provided to You by Southern Seminary
The Writing Center: Make sure you lean on the Writing Center for every major paper. Their tutors guide you in sharpening a thesis, structuring an argument, integrating sources, and polishing style and grammar. They also help you format assignments to match the Southern Seminary Manual of Style, saving you last-minute headaches.
Academic Advising: Academic Advising maps out your entire degree plan, helps you balance coursework with life commitments, and answers any question that pops up along the way. A 30-minute check-in now prevents semesters of detours later.
Library Resources: Did you know that 1/3 of our library’s collection of books is available as an eBook? This means that many books are available to you completely online as you do research for your classes.
I recorded a quick screencast on how you can search for eBooks through our library’s website.
If you need a chapter of a book that is not available as an eBook you can submit a request here and the library will scan and email you a copy of the specific chapter.
If there is a book unavailable as an eBook you can submit a request here for consideration.
Textbooks in Logos and Logos Max: As an online student, you have access to Logos Bible Software, a powerful platform for Bible study and research. Through your Logos Max subscription—the highest tier available—you can utilize advanced tools and an extensive theological library. Additionally, nearly all of your required textbooks are provided digitally within Logos, simplifying your reading, study, and research workflows throughout seminary.
Wisdom from Other Students
Awhile back I conducted a survey that asked for advice to new students from our current online students. Here are some of the highlights:
Lock in Your Calendar Early : “Use your calendar at the start of each class to list every due date. Seeing the work spread out keeps surprises away.”
Maximize LiveSync Sessions : “Take advantage of LiveSync meetings. Hearing your professor and classmates in real time keeps the course from feeling isolated.”
Connect Coursework to Current Ministry : “Choose assignments that speak into what you are preaching or teaching. The overlap multiplies your effort.”
Protect Your Health : “Pace yourself and prioritize sleep. 7-8 hours of rest beats another bleary-eyed hour of reading.”
Remember the Aim : “Seminary is about deepening your love for Christ, not just adding a credential. Keep worship at the center.”
