Love: it’s a tricky topic for any collegiette. But don’t stress, our lovely Her Campus collegiettes are here to weigh in on the top love lessons they learned in college, which can hopefully save you from a few debacles of your own!
“I’d say the #1 love lesson I learned in college is that unless you’re yourself when you’re in a relationship, no one can fall in love with the person you really are!” – Alicia Thomas, Career Editor, Pennsylvania State University ‘15
“…boys are really not great at picking up on hints. At all. So spell everything out!” – Annie Pei, National Contributing Writer, University of Chicago ‘14
“The #1 love lesson I learned in college is to think twice before dating your best friend.” – Caroline Ortiz, Co-Founder of HC ASU, Arizona State University ‘15
“Too many people confuse sex with love. Sex will not make someone love you. Loving someone and them loving you back does not guarantee or entitle you to sex. Wanting to have sex doesn’t mean you need to love someone. Wanting to love someone doesn’t mean you want to have sex with them. The two can combine wonderfully, of course, but one doesn’t need the other and some people will try to make them the same or dependent on the other out of guilt or naiveté or shame or what have you.” — Harper Yi, Editor-in-Chief of HC W&M, William & Mary ‘15
“The #1 love lesson I learned in college is not to fall for someone too quickly. No one is ever who they seem to be at the beginning [and] only time will let their true colors show.” – Katie King, Editor-in-Chief of HC WMU, Western Michigan University ‘13
“Every person has value, including/especially you.” – Mary Love, Campus Correspondent for HC FSU, Florida State University ‘13
“I’d have to say the number one love lesson that I have learned in college thus far is that you may like just about every guy you meet, but don’t give your heart to every one of them. Get to know a person past the initial stages of infatuation, and then you can really say whether or not you like them. Too often, I or a friend of mine, would become infatuated with a guy way too quickly and then become hurt because they did not meet our unrealistic expectations of who we thought they would be. It’s not fair to you or to the guy.” – Nahja Martin, Campus Correspondent for HC Pitt, University of Pittsburg ‘14
“Do not, under any circumstances, commit dormcest.” – Nicole Echeverria, Her Campus Lose the Freshman 15 Blogger, University of Michigan ‘15
“Let the past stay in the past.” – Mariah Moses, Campus Correspondent for HC VSU, Virginia State University ‘16
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“Listen to yourself instead of other people’s advice! Every relationship is different, and no one knows you better than yourself.” – Alexis Benveniste, Editorial Intern, Indiana University ‘15
“You won’t be ready for a serious relationship (or any relationship, for that matter) until you’re happy being alone.” – Michelle Lewis, Life Editor, UNC-Chapel Hill ‘13
“Follow your heart and never give up when you find a great guy. I had a crush on my best friend for a year and a half and now we’ve been dating for almost two years. I’m so happy.” – Lauren Paylor, National Contributing Writer, Duke University ‘14
“Always go with your gut – don’t take a chance on someone you know you’re not in love with/not attracted to even if they really like you!” – Jasmin Maastricht, Editor-in-Chief of HC USCAU, University of the Sunshine Coast 3rd Year
“The #1 love lesson I learned in college is high school flings stay in high school. Bringing those over to college years is just dangerous.” – Elizabeth Blasi, Campus Correspondent for HC Clemson, Clemson University ‘14
“Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! I always thought that guys should make the first move; however, guys are just as (if not more) nervous when it comes to asking a girl for her number or shooting her a flirty text. Nobody should do all the hard work, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there a little more.” – Kelsey Mulvey, How She Got There Editor, Boston University ‘14
“Don’t date someone your friends don’t like, because they know what’s best for you. More than likely if you do you’ll lose your friendships, and those are more important than any guy.” – Kaylie Pearson, Campus Correspondent for HC Arkansas, University of Arkansas ‘14
“Always stay true to yourself. Never rush into anything, take things slow and let them happen naturally! Never change for anyone; the right guy will come along and like you for you!” – Jenna Kapsis, President and Social Media Director of HC WPUNJ, William Paterson University of New Jersey ‘15
“Men are like stocks. The economy goes through cycles of good times and bad times, and that’s really how college men are. But if you’re patient and you want to see a return on your investment, then you need to let your stock mature over time.” – Phyu-Sin Than, Co-Editor-in-Chief of HC Mt Holyoke, Mount Holyoke College ‘15
Have your own stellar love lessons you learned in college? Leave your thoughts in the comments sections below!