Today’s the last day of finals at WPUNJ, and we’re sure everybody’s ready for the semester to be over – we know we are! Who isn’t excited for summer vacations, late nights out, and no homework? We’ve taught you how to snag your summer internship and whether or not to take summer classes, but we haven’t aptly prepared anybody for summer relationships! So we at Her Campus WPUNJ have thrown together some tips for how to deal with some of the summer relationships you might encounter.
The Fling
We all know this one – s/he’s the cute lifeguard at the beach when you’re hanging out with your friends for the week or the hottie whose hotel room is down the hall from yours. Flings are great because there’s no pressure, no obligation, no strings. Flings are supposed to be a fun break from serious relationships, so make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.
- Be honest with yourself and with your fling; make sure you’re both on the same page before you start anything.
- Be careful about how much information you reveal about yourself (especially if your fling is a total stranger).
- Be as safe as possible (as in, use protection!). Also, don’t expect too much from a fling – chances are, it will be ephemeral. The likelihood that you’ll be a real-life Danny and Sandy is pretty low, so keep your heart guarded, too.
The Long-Distance Beau
Either you two both go to WPUNJ now, or you knew each other from home and went your separate ways. Whichever way it is, one thing is clear: you and your guy (or gal) have something strong.
If you two get to see each other all summer, then lucky you! If the two of you separate over the summer, you don’t need to be in a panic; there are plenty of ways you two can keep your relationship going despite the distance.
- Be sure to talk to each other. You don’t necessarily need to do this every single day (make sure you both have the space you need), but it will be comforting to you to be with each other even when you can’t be physically with each other. (Video chats are really great for this, since you’ll get to actually see and hear each other.)
- Try to visit each other at least once. It will be nice to get to see each other in person at least once to break up those months upon months of Skype chats and text messages. Plan a day where you two just hang out – maybe go to the beach or an amusement park or even just for a picnic. Make the day memorable, and enjoy the time you get to spend together.
- Don’t let the distance ruin your summer. Even though you won’t get to see each other every day, make sure you still do things on your own or with friends that will make summer fun. You’ll see your boyfriend/girlfriend soon enough. Live it up in the summer sun while it lasts. (And don’t forget that time flies by faster when you’re preoccupied!)
Whether you’ll see your boyfriend/girlfriend every day or not at all until September, just remember that it’s really important to your relationship to make the most of the time that you do get to spend together.
Single
Maybe you’re not up for having a fling, or maybe you just haven’t found the right guy (or girl). Summer isn’t only about relationships – you can have as much fun with that special someone as you can without them! Just because you don’t have that S.O. doesn’t mean that you’re alone. There are plenty of ways to feel great and have fun over the summer, single and lovin’ it!
- Take trips with friends. Whether it’s just to the mall for a few hours or down the coast for a few weeks, having your girls around will take away any edge you’ll feel about being single (even if your pals all have someone special). You won’t be so focused on your love life when there are so many memories to be had with your BFFs, anyway.
- Do things by yourself. Even when you’re not hanging around with your friends, you can still enjoy your summer in solitude. Take up a new hobby, look for a job, or work on an individual project. Not only will it keep you occupied, but you’ll also have something to show for yourself at the end of the summer – and who doesn’t love that feeling of accomplishment?
- Help others. We mentioned before in an article on how to be single and happy that smiles are contagious. Volunteering at a soup kitchen or an animal shelter is sure to bring about some such smiles – and just think about all the good you’ll be doing. Besides, who doesn’t love playing with puppies?
No matter who you’re with this summer, we at Her Campus WPUNJ want to remind you to have fun and be safe!
See you next semester, collegiettes!
Photo sources: