When Sarah Sanchez first arrived on campus as a freshman at BYU-Idaho, she felt a great uneasiness about her future path. Her doubts grew as she believed the people around her had their entire lives all figured out. She stumbled trying to find her way, especially when it came to her faith and testimony— feeling as if she needed to be perfect. On an episode of the Fulfilling the Mission podcast, Sanchez explained the importance of patience and trusting the process both on your academic and spiritual journeys.
"I would tell (my younger self) that she’ll be okay. I feel like coming to a school with so many amazing people who have strong testimonies and with professors you look up to, just makes you want to understand how you can also get there," Sanchez said.
There are many more students who are sure to feel as Sanchez did. Students can find it incredibly overwhelming having to figure out their majors and career paths as it will have big effects on their lives. Faculty members such as Jason Reeder, the Communication Department chair, see it as their job to help guide students who are having these thoughts of uncertainty. At times like these, Reeder likes to remember how President Henry B. Eyring once said that BYU-Idaho graduates would become legendary for their ability to build up those around them and add value wherever they go. Reeder sees his role as an educator as a direct contribution to fulfilling this mission.
“My job is to help students be prepared to fulfill prophecy. And they’re doing it, they’re going out. I hear these stories about students and what they’re doing and the influence that they’re having, and that’s the payoff,” Reeder explained.
Teachers and mentors like Reeder are who helped Sanchez find her place as a student and calm the worries and doubts in her mind. She also attributes this impact to the Christ-centered learning she received in her classes. Through time, she started to recognize that discipleship is not about achieving a perfect faith right away but about learning, growing and trusting in the process.
"As long as you keep Christ in the picture, everything works out," she shared.
Both Reeder and Sanchez agree that BYU-Idaho students carry the university’s light wherever they go, positively impacting the world around them. They advise students to live their discipleship with confidence, patience and an unwavering commitment to faith. Their experiences show that discipleship is not just about the destination, but the journey and growth along the way.
To watch the full podcast episode, you can find it on Spotify or listen to it on one of your favorite podcast apps. You can also watch it below.