Alayna Fraser is a senior communications major with an emphasis in creative writing and publishing at The Master’s University. She is from the Sacramento area. We sat down with her recently to talk about her experience as a student at TMU.
TMU has always been my dream school. My dad went here and I always knew I wanted to get a Christian education.
School was difficult growing up, because I was exposed to everything secular. It felt like I had to battle every day, while I was just sitting there trying to remind myself of what I believe. It was honestly just really tiring. I was longing for an environment where I could just learn without having to fight what I was learning. I wanted to go to school where I could get an education alongside the Bible, so that I knew I was being taught the truth.
My favorite class I’ve taken would have to be my Old Testament Survey class with Professor (Jared) Kingsley. He was so funny and made learning the Bible fun. The way he teaches helps the information actually stick in your head.
Before this class, I didn’t feel like I knew the Old Testament at all. It was just a jumble of books to me. But now that I understand the Old Testament, I understand the whole Bible. Learning about the promises of the Old Testament has helped me appreciate the New Testament, and ultimately appreciate who Jesus is.
I love the community. Everyone encourages fostering ideas and not shutting them down. We are all like-minded in wanting to honor Christ and wanting to produce really cool work. And we get to take super fun classes like Fantasy Fiction Writing and Detective Fiction.
It’s really encouraging, because sometimes I get nervous about sharing my work, but I know that I’m not getting judged. Instead, I know my classmates are going to laugh along with me. I feel very supported.
Honestly, that is one of the biggest blessings. I have made such great friends. I have a great roommate, and I’ve loved getting to know new people. I’ve been learning a lot about how to have good relationships and being a good friend. Everyone here is so kind and Christ-honoring, and this is such a unique community that I know I wouldn’t have anywhere else. I know some of these people will be around for the rest of my life.
Before I came to TMU I struggled with assurance of my salvation. I was having some worries and doubts, but I remember talking with Julie (DeVore), the resident director of Hotchkiss, and she helped me see God’s grace. The biggest lesson I’ve learned at TMU is resting in this grace and knowing I don’t have to work for my salvation. It’s brought a lot of peace into my life and that’s what I needed to grow.
Learn more about TMU’s creative writing and publishing major here.
