Like most freshmen, my first semester at Pepperdine was a whirlwind that seemed be over before I knew it. I had met so many amazing friends, explored the Los Angeles area, and made so many unforgettable memories. I remember boarding my plane to head home and being so excited to tell me family everything I had been up to the past four months. When I arrived to Christmas dinner, the majority of my relatives asked me how college was and if I had a boyfriend yet, while my cousin had brought home his new girlfriend for the holidays. I received some weird looks when I said that I was so busy exploring my surroundings and getting to know my new friends that I did not really focus on dating.
When returning to Pepperdine at the beginning of this semester, I decided to try to focus on dating because I felt the pressure from my family and, as funny as it sounds, the whole “ring by spring” idea that is talked about so much here. I went out of my way to talk to more guys an really tried to find one who had an interest in me. After I was about two weeks into the semester, I abandoned that focus because I was so involved with my classes, extracurriculars, still exploring LA, and spending time with my friends since most of us would be abroad next semester.
Let’s be honest, we all feel the pressure to have romance in college whether it be from all of those movies or TV shows you watch, your family, or even your friends. You may fear that you’re missing out on a major “requirement” for college, but you don’t need to have a significant other.
College is the time where you find yourself. Everything changes, whether it be your interests, political views, religious affiliation, sexuality, or your major. You may have an identity crisis, or two, or five. You may become a different person by the end of the semester than you were at the beginning. Allow yourself to have this time to define who you are.
And if you find somebody you have a connection with and they become your SO, that’s great! If you’re chilling solo for the semester, there’s nothing wrong with that either. It’s okay to not prioritize dating in college. The most important thing to remember is that dating in college is not required. You would be surprised how many people haven’t really dated anyone. Don’t prioritize it to the point where you are forcing things and feelings just to say that you have dated.
Just be patient, have fun, and enjoy your college experience. Don’t stress over it! And hey who knows, you might just meet your future SO tomorrow.