Religion is typically influenced and encouraged by family dynamics. However, as college students move towards independence, it may be difficult for them to maintain the religious practices they are accustomed to. Trinity has a diverse campus, home to students from all walks of life and a diverse range of religious affiliations.

From Ramadan to Christmas, how has entered college changed students’ religious practices? The Trinitonian asked students around Coates Library about how their religious practices have changed as they transitioned into the world of academia.

Nathaniel Trevino, first-year biology major

What is your religious affiliation?

“Catholic.”

How religiously involved are you?

“Currently, not much.”

How religiously involved were you before college?

“I went to a Catholic high school, so it was mandatory to attend church every month, and I had to take religion classes all four years.”

What are common practices or religious traditions you partake in while at home?

“I pray before I go to bed, and before meals we hold hands and pray.”

How have these practices or traditions changed since coming to college?

“I don’t pray before my meals, and I’m usually tired and don’t pray at night.”

Do you find yourself to be more religiously involved at home compared to on campus?

“Yes, because my parents make me pray at dinner.”

Blaine Martin, sophomore political science and international studies double-major and Spanish minor

What is your religious affiliation?

“I grew up Christian, but I have a more multiplistic approach.”

How religiously involved are you?

“Not very.”

What are common practices or religious traditions you partake in while at home?

“I never really went to church, I’m more spiritual. I meditate more and basically assure I am good to all people.”

How have these practices or traditions changed since coming to college?

“They’re the same.”

Hanna Khan, first-year, undeclared

What is your religious affiliation?

“I’m Muslim.”

How religiously involved are you?

“Like 50%.”

What are common practices or religious traditions you partake in while at home?

“I pray and listen to Jummah [Islamic Friday lectures].”

How have these practices or traditions changed since coming to college?

“My schedule’s been different.”

How accessible is it to do these practices on the Trinity campus?

“I wouldn’t say they are. There aren’t many mosques around here.”

Do you find yourself to be more religiously involved at home compared to on campus?

“Yes, mostly due to accessibility.”

Ananya Bhogaraju, sophomore neuroscience major

What is your religious affiliation?

“I’m Hindu.”

How religiously involved are you?

“I’m pretty religiously involved.”

What are common practices or religious traditions you partake in while at home?

“I pray every morning, and we go to the temple at least twice a month. So pretty involved.”

How have these practices or traditions changed since coming to college?

“In college, my schedule is way different. I don’t really go to the temple. I try to make time to pray in the morning or pray throughout the day. It’s way different at school than at home.”

How accessible is it to do these practices on the Trinity campus?

“It’s not really that accessible, but I personally don’t really need anything other than a quiet room and presence with God. On campus, they have a meditation center.”

Do you find yourself to be more religiously involved at home compared to on campus?

“Yes, I think at home with my parents and sister I feel like I have more of a community. At school it’s just hard with classes and everything finding the time.”

Alejandra Caballero, junior

What is your religious affiliation?

“I am Roman Catholic.”

How religiously involved are you?

“I love to attend mass on Sundays and Wednesdays at Our Lady of Grace, pray the rosary (the Divine Mercy Chaplet is my favorite rosary prayer), do independent Bible studies and sometimes I attend the Chapel and Spiritual Life events such as Worthy Questions, Poetry and Peace and Dinner and Dialogue.”

What are common practices or religious traditions you partake in while at home?

“At home we attend mass on Sundays and every day during the summer break. Growing up we went to church school and were involved in the youth groups.”

How have these practices or traditions changed since coming to college?

“The Catholic Student Group offers a lot of different activities such as Bible study, mass, community service opportunities, etc.”

How accessible is it to do these practices on the Trinity campus?

“I would say the Catholic practices and traditions are accessible at Trinity University.”

Do you find yourself to be more religiously involved at home compared to on campus?

“I would not say I am more religiously involved at home or on campus — just in different ways. For example, at home, I used to attend daily mass more frequently. I remember growing up, we would wake up at 6:30 a.m. every day to attend mass. My mom always said, ‘First is your spiritual nourishment.’ Aside from Sunday mass, sometimes I attend Wednesday morning mass at Our Lady of Grace, which is just a five-minute walk from Trinity. While I do not attend mass as frequently as I do at home, I find myself praying more consistently and doing more independent Bible study.”