Community Resources
College is great, but it is also a difficult season in life and we want to help you succeed in as many ways as possible. We asked you for ways we could help support you and you answered! Check out this page for resources, and if you need help in any other way don’t hesitate to ask us.
Academic Counseling & Support
As a college student one of your biggest responsibilities and probably stressors in your life is going to be school and keeping your grades up. It is very easy to get overwhelmed in your school work and quickly fall behind, but don’t give up hope! There are plenty of resources available to help you succeed and achieve all of your college goals!
GGC has trained professionals to help you succeed in college through their Academic Enhancement Center. They are located on campus, but offer tutoring in-person as well as online.
Every student at GGC has an advisor who is here to help you succeed. Be sure you are meeting with your advisor on a regular basis and here are our Top 5 Questions you should ask.
Top 5 Questions to ask your advisor:
What classes are required for my specific major? (math, foreign languages, internships?)
How many classes should I take each semester to graduate in ___ years? (Set your goal and have them help you meet it)
When and how do I register for my classes? Are there certain ones only offered specific semesters?
Do you suggest any online courses? Why or why not?
With my major will I need a higher degree to get the job I want? What do I need to do to prepare for graduate school?
Managing stress & anxiety
College can be a very difficult season as you begin navigating changes in family dynamics, moving away from home, being an “real” adult, all while trying to maintain good grades and your sanity. It is easy to get overwhelmed and to not be sure where to turn. Here are some resources to help you cope with this wonderful, but difficult time of your life.
As a student at GGC you can receive FREE counseling services on campus. They offer multiple types of counseling as well as a crisis response team to assist in times of emergency.
GGC Wesley is a ministry that is supported by multiple churches in the Lawrenceville Community. At each of these churches there are multiple pastors and volunteers who are happy to set up a meeting with you. These are not professional counselors, but they are willing to sit with you, talk, and offer prayer and other support. Ryan would be happy to put you in contact with one of these volunteers, just let him know by sending him an email at ryans@lvfirst.org. He will help pair you with one of the ministers and can help find the perfect fit for you. He will also keep your information confidential.
If you feel that you need professional assistance we recommend Freedom Path Counseling in Lawrenceville, Georgia. They are a Christian based counseling service and offer in-person as well as online counseling services.
App Suggestions
Abide is a Christian prayer and sleeping app. It provides Bible readings and meditations to help you relax, sleep, and help you in guided prayers.
Calm is a meditation and sleeping app. This is not a Christian app, but does offer guidance for meditation, breathing exercises, and sleep management
Ora is a prayer app and what we love about it is that it can also be used among multiple people in a prayer group to share concerns and praises with one another. We are better together, and this app helps keep you connected with community.
Managing your finances
Balancing school, loans, jobs, and keeping gas in your car is tough. Finances can be a real area of stress and concern in your life, but they are something that you can either take control of, or they will take control of you. Wesley is a team of churches and we have people and tools who can help you better understand and apply for student loans and scholarships. We also have people who can help you with basic tax questions and other financial advice you may need.
The top ten tips for managing your money according to Meratas in college are: 1. Create a budget, 2. Track expenses, 3. Open a savings account, 4. Start building credit, 5. Cook on a budget, 6. Create an emergency plan, 7. Create debt payoff plan, 8. Start investing, 9. Use budgeting apps, 10. Get a part-time job. This list may seem like a lot, but the article to the side has more details, and the big key is to create a plan when it comes to your finances.
At each of our partner churches they have a whole team of members who oversee and manage the budgets and finances of their churches. Most of these individuals have a degree in finance or have a history of working in financial institutions. If you have some basic finance questions or concerns we would be happy to connect you with one of these individuals. Email Ryan at ryans@lvfirst.org for potential contacts.
As a member of a United Methodist Church or Wesley Foundation you are eligible for loans and scholarships through the General Board of Higher Education & Ministry in the UMC.
App Recommendations:
Pocket Guard is a finance app that tracks your income and expenses. It sets up reminders of bills or payments that are due, but also helps you see where you are overspending (like Starbucks) and helps you redirect that money. It has a paid and a free version.
Every Dollar is a finance app that work in partnership with Dave Ramsey and offers great budget and goal tracking for your daily life. It has a free and paid version.
Serve or Be Served
In life there will be seasons where you are able to serve others and there will be seasons where you need to be served. Below is a list of community partners where you can volunteer to serve as well as places where you could be served if you are in need.
Lawrenceville Co-Op - Ministry in downtown Lawrenceville that serves people through food drives, clothing vouchers, bill assistance, and minor medical needs.
Nothing But The Truth - Ministry in Lawrenceville that partners with the community to offer ESL classes, tutoring help to children, Bible study, and minor medical assistance.
Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity - Ministry in Gwinnett and across the US that builds and renovates homes for those in need. In Gwinnett they have a program called “A Brush With Kindness” that does minor home repair and restoration for families in need.
Lawrenceville Response Center - Ministry that came into existence due to the increased need in our community due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They assist families who are in need of help due to issues related to COVID-19.
Family Promise of Gwinnett - Ministry that partners with homeless families and works with them to help them move into stable and permanent housing.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace Gwinnett - Ministry that builds and delivers beds to children who are sleeping on the floor or in the bed with siblings. They have bed building and delivering events throughout the year and this is a great ministry to serve in.