My Advice to Students: Charles Halton Says "Make Friends with Your Peers."

[embed width="680" height="383"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDeIjVuDxPs[/embed]

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Academia can be a lonely, isolating road. You spend hours reading and studying alone; you write articles and papers alone. Yet according to Charles Halton, editor of Genesis: History, Fiction, or Neither?, it doesn't have to be that way.

Friendships are really important in academia...make friends with your peers.

Halton has practiced his own advice, sharing that everything he's done professionally has come through friendships. Here are some highlights from his insights:

• Go to professional meetings;
• Don't be a mercenary friend to exploit people;
• Get to know people deeply;
• Congratulate professional accomplishments;

I have personally found Halton's advice to ring true. Most of what I've accomplished has been because of friendships (I'm looking at you Dr. Jason Myers and Dr. Michael Wittmer!)

Listen to Halton's advice above, then follow it. You'll be thankful you did!

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"My Advice to Students" videos advise and guide students studying for a future of ministry in the Church, whether in the academy or in congregations. In these specially curated videos, leading scholars of biblical studies share their wisdom to help you navigate this important season of preparation.