Top 10 observances of a first-year CTS student

by Kevin C. Vande Streek, Contributing Editor

After finishing up my first quarter here at Calvin Theological Seminary, I stopped to reflect on things that surprised me or weren’t the way I expected; not necessarily better or worse, just different. Here are my top ten.

1. Workload

Honestly, the workload was less than I expected. This is probably just because I had heard horror stories from so many alumni about how they barely survived their time here. That being said, it’s not like the workload is too light now (far from it), I'm just grateful for where it is now and that this is something that’s still being thought through.

2. Complaints

This is more for my friends than anyone else. Hey, I get it. Certain people and professors drive me nuts, too. This is why you can be the first person to hold me accountable if you hear me slandering someone or being overly cynical. Let’s help each other guard our tongues. Cool?

3. Passion

I didn’t expect all my professors to believe that their class is the most important one in the whole Seminary, but I think they do. This isn’t an implication that they’re arrogant; not at all. It’s simply something that reflects their passion for what they teach. I didn’t expect so much excitement from all of them. I mean, have you seen Professor Weima at 8:00 in the morning? He’s all smiles and “Persnickity!”

4. Junk food

Doughnuts every Wednesday and Guest lectures/town meetings about once a week, plus coffee available all the time… I sarcastically said to Professor Rylaarsdam last week, “I just feel like I’m not getting enough sugar or caffeine in my diet. Like I haven’t gained as much weight as I would like this quarter, you know? I’m thinking about writing them into my Rule of Life.”

5. Shortness

The quarter system goes ridiculously fast. Good. I know that there are rumors and rumblings about switching to a semester system, and I personally hope CTS doesn’t do it. Mostly for the overly simplistic reasoning that, semesters have a tendency to drag on in spots and you never have that problem in 10-week quarters.

6. Spiritual formation

Is it possible to be pleasantly surprised and a little discouraged at the same time? That’s how I feel about the emphasis on spiritual formation at CTS. The most pleasant surprises were found in 901 and FFM groups, but there’s still a long, long way to go.

7. Student Center

Perhaps it’s because my wife is an architect so I’m starting to look at buildings in a new way, but I’ve got to say that the Student Center is great. The lighting and window designs are impressive, the sense of space and the way that it promotes community is remarkable. It’s great for hanging out, great for having lunch with your professors, great for growing community and friendships, etc. I can’t imagine what CTS was like before the student center.

8. Friendships

This happens quicker than I thought, probably because M Divs have almost all the same classes first quarter, FFM groups create a small group atmosphere and, most importantly, when you’re battling (studying for exams) you tend to get along quickly.

9. Laptops

Alright, you guys know who you are, but those laptops aren’t being used for taking notes. Surfing the net, blogging, instant messaging, gaming, emailing, etc.

10. Sisters

This has been mentioned by others before, but I also wanted to say that it is a wonderful thing to study theology with sisters. Special thanks to all who represented CTS so well with positive outcry after that whole Ruth Tucker thing. It is a wonderful thing to have a diverse student body that can then provide a more well-rounded view of ministry and God. Thanks again for being here.

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