When you're deciding where you might want to live and study for four (or more) years of your life, you've got all kinds of factors to consider. There's location, size, majors offered and quality of cafeteria food, to name a few. Another factor you'll want to keep in mind is a college's code of conduct. So, what are those rules all about and how do students respond to them? To find out, Christian College Guide talked to several students at Christian colleges.

A code of conduct tells you exactly where a school stands on issues related to lifestyle and behavior. These rules also serve as basic guidelines, helping students live their faith in very practical ways.

"The rules here help me stay on track," says Brian Jones, a senior at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. Students at his college, he says, have their freedom, "but the school helps eliminate some bad choices."

Jessica Vaughn, a May 2008 graduate of Boyce College in Louisville, Kentucky, adds that the rules aren't meant to be burdensome. "It's one way our school appeals to us—as brothers and sisters in Christ—to live a godly life," she says.

For many students, this emphasis on living out their faith is extremely important.

Michael Charles, a senior at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, says the rules at his college set it apart from secular schools. "Our underlying values are biblically based," he says. "The Bible speaks against drunkenness and sexual immorality, and some college campuses are rampant with that kind of behavior. Here, we want to promote the fruit of the Spirit."

While the school's rules say a lot about what the school values, they won't create a perfect environment. Students still have to choose whether to obey or disobey, and it will be up to you to make the right choice.

"When I was an R.A. [resident adviser] in the freshman dorm, some of the kids would complain about some of the rules at first," says Brian. "But they knew deep down that the rules were good for them. You make a choice to obey the rules when you come here, and it's worth it."

Michael puts it this way: "The bottom line is that wherever you go, you'll find what you're looking for. If you want your college days to be wild and crazy, you can get that at any school. Even if you go to a Christian school, you can break the rules. But having the rules in place helps discourage unacceptable behavior."

Besides helping students in their personal walks with God, codes of conduct can create an all-around positive atmosphere. "I chose Whitworth because of its respectful, Christian environment," says Katie Zerkel, a senior at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. She says students can understand the need for rules when they see the reasons behind them.

"Some of my friends at other schools have told me stories about walking into their dorm room while their roommates are having sex. I'm so glad I don't have to deal with that," Katie says. Whitworth students abide by what they call the "Big Three": no sex between unmarried people, no drugs or alcohol, and no activities that are destructive to community.

Katie says, "I completely support those rules, because I know they're about safety and respect for the people I live with."

Beatrice Ng, a senior at Multnomah Bible College in Portland, Oregon, agrees. She points specifically to her school's policy prohibiting alcohol and smoking. "People may have different views about drinking and smoking," she says. "Some students could be recovering from those things, so it's for the best that they're not allowed. The school doesn't want us to be stumbling blocks for others."

Ashley Hogan, a senior at Warner Southern College in Lake Wales, Florida, says the college's "Lifestyle Agreement" is important in promoting purity, too. At Warner, there are only a few designated time periods when members of the opposite sex are allowed to be in students' dorm rooms. "I have a boyfriend, and there are times when I want to be with him," Ashley says. Knowing that he's not always allowed to be in her room, she says, "helps us stay pure in our relationship. If I didn't have those rules, it might be harder to stay out of trouble."

Campus dress codes can also be helpful when it comes to guy-girl relationships. Jessica says that students at Boyce College are expected to "dress in a way that's pleasing to the Lord." To her, that means, "I don't want to wear something that's going to make a guy lust." Also, she says, taking care to dress appropriately sets a good example for the people around her.

Ashley says the students at Warner Southern College summarize their dress code as not showing breasts, belly or behind. Those guidelines mean students face fewer distractions, so they can focus on the reasons they're in college. After all, she says, college should be about learning for the future, building friendships with both sexes, and growing in a relationship with Christ.

A Christian college atmosphere seeks to foster and build better community. In fact, many rules and guidelines are designed to help students experience greater unity.

Beatrice says that some of the rules at Multnomah seem designed to make students more sociable. "We can't have televisions in our dorm rooms," she says, "and it's really a good thing, because it gets us out to meet people." Rules concerning social life can be good reminders that the college experience isn't all about books and classes.

At Harding University, restrictions on who can live off campus also promote a feeling of community. "A huge majority of students live on campus," Brian says. "We have one main area where people hang out, and it's busy all the time." Since Brian is on the university's track team, he has spent a lot of time on other college campuses. "The colleges where most of the students live off campus just seem dead," he says. "People at Harding are just more connected."

And don't think that a campus curfew will cramp your style if you're a night owl. Multnomah Bible College expects students to be in their dorms by 1:00 a.m. on weekdays and 2:00 a.m. on weekends. "Personally, I like being out late," says Beatrice. "But the curfew isn't a big deal to me, because I can still be up late with my friends in the dorm."

Whitworth helps encourage community by involving students in some of its rule making. Along with policies that are for the entire campus, that university has students develop rules and policies that are dorm-specific. At the beginning of the year, students have a meeting to determine their dorm's quiet hours, visitation hours and other policies. "When we meet together and voice our concerns, it makes it easier for students to see how their conduct affects others," Katie says. "When the people on the swim team tell you they have to get up for practice at 5:00 a.m., you realize that if you're up late, being loud, that would really bother them."

Making your own decisions, and experiencing the results, is part of becoming independent. Even so, we all live with rules—in college and out. Whether they are set by our boss or by our government, we'll continue to live with guidelines throughout our lives.

Learning how to respect those rules, even when you may not fully agree with them, is a mark of maturity and integrity. Jessica says, "We believe God places authorities over our lives, and we trust that because God has placed those people there, we need to submit to their authority."

With that said, Jessica says that following the rules "is a way of showing those around you that you take seriously what God has called you to do."

Students at colleges with strong moral codes are provided an environment that can make it easier to live out their faith. "You're given independence," says Brian, "but the rules help form you into the person you want to be."

"The school is not trying to be your mom and dad, but they do have your best interests at heart," Ashley says. "The rules help keep you on track. What you do after that is up to you."