Life-Ready Society · Teacher and parent pack · Spiritual dimension
Keeping Your Faith and Values Away From Home
Faith communities, Ramadan while studying, halal food and staying true to yourself.
8 lessons, about 1.5 hours of reading. Free lessons, videos and full sources: https://lifereadysociety.com/faith-away/
How to use this pack. Ask your teen or class to read one lesson online (about ten minutes), talk through the key points together, choose one practice task to try this week, then use the quiz to check what stuck. The answer key is on the last page. Free to print for home and classroom use.
The lessons at a glance
1. Finding your faith community in a new place
If faith or a set of values shapes your daily life, the first weeks away from home are when routines are easiest to lose and easiest to rebuild. A little research before you arrive means you know where to pray, reflect or meet like-minded people from day one.
Key points
- Most universities have a chaplaincy or faith page, usually open to all faiths and none.
- Chaplains offer confidential listening on many topics, not only religion.
- Societies and local congregations help you find people, food and places quickly.
- Tell your personal tutor about regular prayer requirements so they can be considered.
2. Ramadan and fasting while you study
Fasting away from family, with lectures, deadlines and possibly exams, is a very different experience from Ramadan at home. With planning, honest conversations and attention to your health, you can keep your fast and your studies on track.
Key points
- Ramadan moves each year, so check the dates against your academic calendar early.
- If you have a health condition, talk to a doctor before fasting and keep taking your medicines.
- Exams are not normally moved for fasting; know the fit to sit and exceptional circumstances rules.
- Questions about exemptions or making up fasts go to a qualified scholar or imam.
3. Holy days, festivals and asking for time off
Religious holidays and weekly holy days do not always fit a university calendar. Many universities have policies for religious observance, but most expect you to ask early and in writing.
Key points
- Many universities have religious observance policies, but they differ.
- Deadlines can be weeks ahead, so plan at the start of each term.
- Ask in writing, keep records and know the escalation route.
- Festivals away from home can still be joyful with planning and community.
4. Halal food and faith-friendly money abroad
Food and money are two areas where faith meets daily life very directly once you live independently. This lesson focuses on asking the right questions and finding reliable information; for food shopping in detail, see 'Finding halal food abroad' in the Groceries and Meal Planning module.
Key points
- Speak up about food needs: universities often provide options where there is demand.
- Islamic finance avoids interest and harmful sectors, and anyone can use it.
- Sharia-compliant current accounts in the UK usually have no overdraft and pay no return.
- Religious questions about products go to a qualified scholar; funding questions go to a money adviser.
5. Explaining your faith and values with confidence
At university you may meet people who have never met someone from your faith, or anyone religious at all. Questions are usually curiosity, not attack. Short, calm answers help you feel confident and help others understand.
Key points
- Most questions are curiosity; a short, calm answer is enough.
- You speak for yourself, not your whole faith or culture.
- It is fine to say 'I'm not a scholar' and point people to someone who is.
- Disrespect and harassment can be reported; UK law protects religion and belief, including lack of belief.
6. Living alongside other faiths, and none
University may be the first time you share a kitchen, a corridor or a group project with people whose beliefs differ completely from yours. This lesson is about the practical, everyday side of living well together. The Purpose module's lesson on respecting others' beliefs covers the principles.
Key points
- Expect and respect many faiths, and none, including different practice within your own faith.
- Agree food and kitchen arrangements early and kindly.
- Ask inclusive questions when planning so nobody has to explain themselves.
- Freedom of belief is protected in both directions; report harassment.
7. Peer pressure and staying true to your values
New freedom is exciting, and it also means nobody else is setting your limits. Deciding your values in advance, having words ready and choosing good company make it much easier to stay yourself.
Key points
- Decide your values before the situation, not during it.
- You do not need to explain yourself; a short, calm no is enough.
- Friends who share your values make choices easier.
- A mistake is a moment to learn, not the end of your values; talk to someone you trust.
8. Doubts, questions and keeping your roots
Moving away often brings big questions about belief, identity and belonging. Questions are a normal part of growing up. This lesson is about finding trusted people to talk to and keeping your connection to home culture and language, whatever you decide.
Key points
- Questions and doubts are a normal part of growing up; there is no deadline for answers.
- Take faith questions to qualified, trusted people; chaplains offer confidential listening.
- If questions affect your wellbeing, get support from your university or a doctor.
- Small regular habits keep your culture and language alive far from home.
Talk about it, then try it
The real-life practice tasks from each lesson. Pick one or two a week and agree when you will check in.
- Finding your faith community in a new place
- Find your university's chaplaincy or faith page and write down three things: one contact email, one prayer or quiet space, and one faith or belief society.
- Send a short email to the chaplaincy introducing yourself and asking what is available in your first week.
- Mark on your timetable where your practice fits and where it clashes.
- Ramadan and fasting while you study
- Find the expected Ramadan dates for next year and check them against your likely exam period.
- Write a one-paragraph plan: what you will eat at suhoor, when you will study hardest and who you could break your fast with.
- Find your university's 'fit to sit' and exceptional circumstances pages and save the links.
- Holy days, festivals and asking for time off
- Make a list of the holy days and festivals you expect to observe this academic year and compare them with your calendar.
- Find your university's religious observance policy (or a sample one) and note its deadline and who to contact.
- Draft your request email using the template, ready to send when you need it.
- Halal food and faith-friendly money abroad
- Find out what your (future) university's catering says about halal, kosher or vegetarian options.
- Read the MoneyHelper page on Sharia-compliant savings and write down three questions to ask a bank.
- Note the name of your university's student money advice service.
- Explaining your faith and values with confidence
- Write one-sentence answers to the three questions about your faith or values that you are most likely to be asked.
- Practise them aloud with a family member or friend until they feel natural.
- Find the harassment reporting page for your (future) university and save the link.
- Living alongside other faiths, and none
- At your next group project or study session, practise asking the inclusive scheduling question.
- Learn about one belief or worldview on your campus that you know nothing about, by reading a society's page or asking a friend.
- Write the sentence you would use to accept or decline an invitation to someone else's place of worship.
- Peer pressure and staying true to your values
- Write your list of non-negotiables and the 'yes' list of what you are happy to do.
- Choose two scripts for saying no and practise them aloud.
- Identify one society or group where you are likely to meet people who share your values.
- Doubts, questions and keeping your roots
- Write down one question about belief or identity you are carrying, and the name of one trusted person you could talk to about it.
- Choose one weekly tradition from home to keep, and put it in your calendar.
- Plan a daily five-minute habit in your home language.
Quiz
Name: ______________________ Date: ____________ Circle one answer for each question.
1. Who does the University of Birmingham say its Multifaith Chaplaincy is open to?
- Students of all faiths and none
- Only students studying theology or religion
- Only staff and postgraduate researchers
- Only students who belong to a registered faith society
2. According to the University of Exeter, which of these might a student talk to a chaplain about?
- Religious law and practice, but not personal worries
- Nothing personal at all, because chaplains only lead formal religious services
- Exam results and academic appeals rather than wellbeing
- Homesickness, stress or isolation, as well as faith questions
3. According to the University of Hertfordshire, can exam dates normally be changed because a student is fasting?
- Exams are paused for everyone during Ramadan
- Yes, always, as long as you ask in writing
- No, exam dates cannot normally be changed
- Yes, but only for students in their first year
4. What does NHS North East London advise people with diabetes who want to fast?
- Drink only coffee at suhoor to stay alert
- Fast as normal without telling anyone
- Speak to their GP or diabetes nurse first
- Stop taking all their medicines for the month
5. How much notice does McGill require for a final exam conflict caused by religious observance?
- No notice, as long as you bring proof later
- At least one day before the exam
- At least a full year in advance
- At least four weeks before exams begin
6. Why does the University of Westminster say it cannot always avoid exams on religious dates?
- Because national exam boards set all its dates
- Because it does not recognise religious dates
- Because religious dates change
- Because students rarely ask for changes
7. According to MoneyHelper, what do Sharia-compliant savings accounts quote instead of an interest rate?
- A monthly prize draw
- A fixed bonus guaranteed for life
- A government-set savings rate
- An expected profit rate
8. According to the Bank of England, who can use Islamic finance products?
- Only Muslims who were born in the UK
- Only businesses, not individual customers
- Anyone at all, whether or not they are Muslim
- Only people aged over 30 with a UK job
9. A flatmate asks why you don't drink. Which reply is most likely to keep the friendship comfortable?
- 'You wouldn't understand, so there's no point explaining.'
- 'Drinking is wrong, and honestly you should all think about stopping too.'
- 'I don't drink for religious reasons, but I'd love to come along.'
- 'Why do you drink? You should explain yourself first.'
10. What does the University of Surrey's procedure say the Equality Act 2010 protects in relation to religion?
- Only the official religion of the country
- Religious belief, but not lack of belief
- Religion or belief, including lack of belief
- Only religions with over a million followers
11. What does the University of Westminster say about expressing beliefs?
- Students should be free to express religious or non-religious beliefs without harassment
- Beliefs of any kind should never be discussed on campus, to avoid any conflict
- Only staff, not students, may express their beliefs while on university premises
- Only religious beliefs may be expressed openly, and non-religious views should be kept private
12. Which is the most inclusive way to schedule a group meeting?
- Avoid meeting in person and only ever message each other
- Ask everyone whether any times don't work, for prayer, services or anything else
- Pick Friday lunchtime for everyone without checking first
- Ask the one religious student to explain their faith to the whole group
13. How does Childline describe peer pressure?
- Pressure to buy expensive clothes, and nothing else
- A type of exam stress caused by comparing your grades
- Feeling you have to do something because people around you expect it
- Any advice or instructions you receive from a parent, carer or teacher at school
14. According to Childline, do you have to explain yourself when you say no?
- Yes, you should give a full reason so it seems fair
- It depends on whether the person is older than you
- No, you do not need to explain yourself
- Only if you are saying no in writing
15. What does the University of Exeter's chaplaincy welcome people to explore?
- Nothing at all beyond attending formal religious services
- A particular faith or worldview, or spiritual meaning
- The history and traditions of the university
- Study skills and exam techniques
16. On what date is International Mother Language Day observed each year?
- 1 January
- 21 September
- 21 February
- 21 November
Answer key
- A: University of Birmingham: the Multifaith Chaplaincy is open to students 'of all faiths and none'.
- D: University of Exeter: people come to the chaplaincy for anxiety, bereavement, stress, isolation, homesickness and more, with confidential listening.
- C: University of Hertfordshire, Fasting and exams: exam dates 'cannot normally be changed' and fasting alone is not normally grounds for exceptional circumstances.
- C: NHS North East London: people with diabetes who want to fast should speak to their GP or diabetes nurse first, and keep taking prescribed medicines.
- D: McGill University policy: submit the Final Exam Conflict Form at least four weeks before exams begin; regular assessments need two weeks' notice.
- C: University of Westminster policy: it aims to avoid exams on dates in its Religious Observance Calendar but cannot always, because religious dates change.
- D: MoneyHelper, Sharia-compliant savings: these accounts give an 'expected profit rate' that you can compare with standard interest rates.
- C: Bank of England, What is Islamic finance?: anyone can use Islamic finance products and services.
- C: Childline advice on saying no: be assertive and you do not need to over-explain; a short friendly answer keeps the door open.
- C: University of Surrey faith and belief procedure: religion or belief (including lack of belief) is a protected characteristic.
- A: University of Westminster policy: it recognises students' freedom to express religious or non-religious beliefs without bullying, discrimination or harassment.
- B: Westminster's policy notes commitments such as Sabbath observance; asking everyone the same question respects all commitments without singling anyone out.
- C: Childline, Peer pressure: feeling you have to do something because people around you want you to or expect you to.
- C: Childline: be assertive and practise saying no; you don't need to explain yourself.
- B: University of Exeter, About the Chaplaincy: support for people who would like to explore a particular faith/worldview or spiritual meaning.
- C: United Nations: International Mother Language Day is observed every year on 21 February, proclaimed by UNESCO in November 1999.
General information only, written from the sources listed in each online lesson. Laws, numbers and services change, so check official sources. Life-Ready Society, https://lifereadysociety.com/faith-away/