A heavy course load. A looming project. Lots of extracurriculars. What’s a student to do? This author found that understanding God as the “engine” for her endeavors helped to remove stress and ensure success.

From the time she was in second grade, this author was bullied for having so many freckles, and she felt the only answer was to change her appearance. But when hiding her freckles didn’t work, she learned she could find more lasting self-worth by understanding beauty and identity in a completely different way: spiritually.

Torn between two schools, this author was agonizing about her college decision, until she realized she could pray about it. Following God’s direction brought her peace—and an answer that was surprising but satisfying.

Instead of feeling excited to move forward with her life, this graduate kept wishing for the past and everything she’d left behind. How could she embrace change? A spiritual insight helped shift her perspective.

As a twenty-something, this writer faced scary symptoms that pointed to a mental health issue. But what she was learning in Christian Science about God as Mind—the only Mind—not only empowered her to pray, but led to complete healing and freedom.

As a college student, this woman was consumed by everything that was wrong with her life, and the “out” of suicide seemed like the only answer. Then a friend gave her a copy of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.

During his first few weeks at college, this writer found himself in a situation he’d never encountered before: having to live with someone who was pretending he didn’t exist because of the color of his skin. Read on to discover how prayer broke through prejudice.

With just a few weeks to go before her Advanced Placement Calculus exam, this high school student felt panicked about passing the test. Prayer brought a change to her perspective—and calm confidence on test day.

On a packed train, with no means of escape, this author found herself being touched inappropriately. At first, she felt helpless and scared. But then she realized that there was one thing she could do: She could pray.

A high-school senior shares some of the spiritual ideas that have helped him pray his way through the college application and admissions process.