Inspired by Martin Luther’s historic demonstration, students today can learn from this in mind, body and soul.
On Oct. 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. These theses addressed clerical abuse in the German Catholic Church, specifically issues relating to the power of the papal office.
While students today are not battling papal backlash, they do struggle with mental health crises, an increasingly divisive culture and a lack of hope for the future.
1. Mental health and academic burnout
If you ask around campus how students are doing, you’ll hear a mix of answers — from “good!” to “just trying to keep up.” There could be many reasons for this, but digging deeper often reveals that some students experience stress, anxiety and, in some cases, depression.
Speaking as a student, much of this stems from heavy workloads and the desire for high grades—overwork leads to burnout. Students need time to rest. We’re often congratulated for going “above and beyond,” which only raises expectations for future performance. Burnout should not be celebrated.
On the other hand, it’s often overlooked. I (Adam) have found that people ask why I run myself into the ground trying to work. I don’t want to, but I’m constantly trying to meet the expectations of my professors—especially since they all assign a lot of work. Having five classes (four of which are back-to-back) in a week leaves little time to relax.
People need to understand that school consumes much of a student’s time, and there aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything. Therefore, when someone says they need time to recover, we shouldn’t look at them with disdain but with compassion and understanding. Everyone has their own cross to bear, and for some, that cross is being overworked.
Here at CUW, we see this issue being corrected. In some of the classes Rachel and I are taking, the professors have scheduled certain days throughout the semester as time off to catch up on assignments, take care of personal business—such as appointments—or simply relax. It’s nice that, at the beginning of the semester, our professors set aside days for us to recharge because it gives students time to plan their catch-up days.
Also, CUW offers chapel services every day. As church work students, Rachel and I attend chapel almost every day because we appreciate that it’s both a 30-minute break from classes and a time to rejuvenate spiritually through the Morning Prayer and Matins services.
2. Building community and connection
Another way universities can improve students’ well-being is by fostering a sense of community across campus. Genesis 2:18 states: “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make a helper fit for him.’”
God created Eve because humans were designed to have relationships with one another. While this statement was specific to its time, it remains relevant today. People are meant to connect with others.
Unfortunately, many college students feel a lack of community within their school environments. This often stems from the prevalence of online classes and “drop-in” campus events, which make it difficult to form meaningful relationships.
This can be improved by offering online classes only when necessary—such as for fully online degrees or unavoidable scheduling conflicts—and by creating more events centered on community building rather than individual activities.
Here at CUW, there are plenty of activities and clubs to get involved in. Chances are, if you have an interest in something, there’s a club you can join that aligns with that interest.
Some of our favorites are the men’s and women’s Bible studies, the Comfort Dog Club (you get to pet dogs—it’s amazing!) and the intramural sports teams on campus. These are all great ways to meet new friends!
3. Hope for the Future
Everywhere you go, you are confronted by people who talk about how terrible the world is and how there’s no hope for improvement.
That attitude brings no reassurance, but it has motivated me (Rachel) to seek ways to create positive change. Many university students share this drive. One of the main reasons we attend college is to innovate in our chosen fields.
Realistically, we won’t solve every global issue overnight. But we can start by pushing for innovation and change within our areas of work. For Adam and me as church workers, that could mean emphasizing evangelization within our ministries to bring more people into the church.
That alone won’t magically make the world better, but growing the body of believers is a step in the right direction.
To achieve this, we need support from our universities. Professors should encourage students to engage with modern culture to bring about positive change. Once we’ve adapted our practices to today’s world, success will follow.
One of CUW’s main missions is to provide a Christ-centered education in all that it does. By putting Christ at the forefront, students are able to recognize Him in their daily lives. This gives us the hope for the resurrection and the eternal life that we have because of Christ’s work on the cross.
Because CUW has instilled this hope in their young men and women, they are motivated to go out and be the light in their communities and workplaces. This gives the students the opportunity to live out their faith, as well as allowing the people they interact with to come to know Christ.
Let’s fix it together
While our version of the 95 Theses may seem like large fixes, they are actually attainable goals for universities.
Mental health can be addressed by cultivating more understanding classrooms. While students must complete assignments well and on time, professors should be compassionate when granting extensions for heavy workloads. This goes both ways—students should communicate their stress and ask for help when needed.
Community and connection can improve through more opportunities for in-person interaction and events that build lasting bonds.
Finally, as Christians, we should instill others with hope for the future. We hold the hope of resurrection on the Last Day, and universities can encourage students to share the Gospel within their careers. This might look like a business student praying before a presentation, a teacher connecting a lesson to Christ or an athlete leading prayer after a game.
If you look past the standard college student’s burned-out, energy drink-fueled exterior, you’ll see brilliant young adults with the potential to create a more Christ-centered world. Luther sparked change in the church by nailing his 95 Theses to the door of Castle Church; likewise, students today seek to reform their learning environments into places that prepare them to be better leaders.
We aren’t trying to overthrow the education system. Rather, we’re advocating for ways to “live uncommonly” and share that uncommon lifestyle with the world around us.
By By Adam Everroad (’26), theology major, and Rachel Webb (’27), theology major
Read more articles related to the Reformation:
- “Reformation Hymnals 500 Years Later”
- “What is the Reformation? Expert thoughts from Dr. Jason Lane”
- “Freedom in the Gospel”
- “Evangelism and Apologetics Through Generations”
- “Martin Luther Statue”
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Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world.