College is a great place, but it’s definitely different from the “outside world.” Not surprisingly, being a Hellenic polytheist in college is different from being one in the outside world as well.
If you’re lucky enough to have an apartment, you shouldn’t have too much trouble. But if you’re living in a dorm, you’re probably going to encounter at least a few problems if you want to do traditional Hellenic worship.
First, most colleges prohibit burning candles, incense, and pretty much anything other than cigarettes in dorm rooms. Find out what the penalties are for breaking that rule, and decide whether you want to risk it. If you don’t, there are plenty of alternatives like scented salts, potpourri, and electric candles. You can also find a quiet place outdoors where you can burn things.
If you do want to burn things in your room, any one of the following actions will lessen your chances of getting in trouble. Get a room on a smoking floor, since they have less sensitive smoke detectors. Burn incense near an open window, and have a fan going. Place a towel at the bottom of the door. If you’re going to burn incense regularly, put weather-stripping around the doorframe to create a better seal. One word of caution: olive oil smokes a lot and has a strong smell. If you’re going to use an olive oil lamp or incense containing olive oil, be sure you use more than one of the above precautions.
Second, making offerings. Libations are easy; pour them into a bowl and then empty the bowl with a prayer outside. Food and other solid offerings are harder; even if you burn candles and incense in your room, you won’t be able to build a fire in there. Many colleges provide outdoor grills or fire circles for student use, however. If you can’t find a grill, it is also alright to respectfully leave offerings on the ground in a secluded place. For more detailed information on this topic, check out Sannion’s After the Smoke Clears.
Many Hellenic polytheists offer a portion of each meal to Hestia, but most dining halls lack an altar or fire. If your dining hall allows students to take food out, take your offering with you and dispose of it as you would any other. If your school has a strict policy, you have a few options. You can make a small offering before you leave for the dining hall, or you can say a short prayer to Hestia before you eat, acknowledging her gifts and promising a sacrifice later. You can also set aside your offering on a separate plate or bowl, and then wrap it in a napkin and give thanks to her before you put it in the trash.
Finally, altars. Find a filing cabinet or wooden box, one that locks if you have a nosy roommate, and cover it with a nice piece of cloth. Everything for your altar should fit inside, to make it easier when you move. Reserve a space in your room for sacred things and keep it neat. If you’re throwing a party and some of the people won’t understand why they shouldn’t put a bottle there, put everything away and cover the altar beforehand.
Basically, it’s not hard to lead a full religious life as a Hellenic polytheist at college. It just takes a little more work and creativity than it does in the rest of the world. But then, that’s what college is all about!