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<p>They need to start trusting you. They need to know that you’re going to be safe at college. They need to talk to someone who can assure them you’re going to be fine.</p>
<p>I don’t know if venting out can help. It can make them feel better temporarily but they’ll be worried once you go anyway.</p>
<p>You have to remain calm.
Let your parents freak out but hold your tongue.
Tell them that they raised you with good values, you have always been an obedient child and not a risk taker.
You know that the whole family, especially siblings and cousins are looking to you to do well, paving their way to UCI.
You will not mess up.
Irvine is one of the safest cities in America, no bad side of town.
There are a number of churches near campus with plenty of Christan kids who will bible study with you and give you rides to church.
However, you may want to wait to decide how involved with church you want to be.
But don’t tell your parents that.</p>
<p>Go on line. See what you can find out about Campus Crusade for Christ and other such organizations. Then share your findings with your parents. If you are sincere in wanting to maintain your faith, you might want to go so far as to email some of the officers or contact the minister, etc. before you go. Ask about services, etc. Tell your parents you have. If you get responses, share them with your parents. </p>
<p>Your parents will feel lot better if they realize you will be supported by a community of others who share your faith. </p>
<p>Then follow up when you get to school. Get to know the minister. Send your parents upbeat messages about him/her and services. ("I went to the welcoming picnic for Campus Crusade for Christ tonight, and had SO much fun!!!) </p>
<p>If your school has a parents’ weekend, encourage your parents to come, and when they do, have them come to Church with you. When your minister knows your name and it’s obvious that the other students attending the church do too, your parents will relax.</p>
<p>Church family/community is definitely important, so is your education. You can always mend any ties you break, given time. But I doubt things will go that far. </p>
<p>If you’ll notice the trend of these types of threads, you’ll see there are more and more “annoying/worried parents” threads that have started appearing the closer we get to a new ‘college season’ so to speak. It’s normal.
I wouldn’t know but your parents could be on an online forum somewhere posting a similar thread about you!
It’s just a normal response from parents and your church family who are concerned for you. Wait it out, actions speak louder then words.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>OP- yes, I think acknowledging their concerns is one of the few positive things you can do. Another idea: you can contact one of the campus pastors (or whatever title is closest to your needs) now and ask about a few conservative and/or religious activities, how many students are involved in whatever, etc. Then, your parents may see the context (or alternatives) better, plus feel even a tiny bit assured someone is there to “keep an eye on” you.</p>
<p>Part of this is you’re the first, but part is surely their fear you will evolve in directions they aren’t comfortable with. You may change, who knows? But, you can show them it’s not all heathenry and isolation. </p>
<p>When they call too much, try my D’s trick: love you, but I’m in the library (or a study group or rehearsal or all sorts of things.) She offers to call me back later or the next day. And she usualy does. Both of mine are just frank enough about what they are up to, that I can breathe. (I am sure they edit heavily.) Remember: it’s an evolution both your parents and you need to go through. There’s no easy way to shut them off or shut them out and expect success- on either side. Good luck.</p>
<p>Okay, I googled. I’m not an Evangelical Protestant and have nothing to do with Irvine, so I know nothing about this, but this might make your parents feel more comfortable:</p>
<p>[UCI</a> Campus Organizations | CORE Accounts Home](<a href=“http://clubs.uci.edu/]UCI”>http://clubs.uci.edu/) [remove spaces] aftergodsheart/</p>