College relationships. Half of the eighteen-year-old high school graduates attending college in the fall think that they will come to college and find the love of their life. The other half use college as a time to cut ties to old flames and explore the new adventure that college has to offer. However, no matter what side of the fence you are on, there is one thing for sure. At some point during your college years you will meet that special someone who makes campus a little brighter. So the question stands, how do you balance college and a healthy love life?
1) Respect the workload.
College is NOTHING like high school. It is a different, socially and in the quality of education. Those easy A’s you got by barely putting in effort in high school are long gone and your professors are not going to hold your hand. 11:59 is 11:59!! When you are in a relationship you must respect the fact that you guys will not be able to spend as much time as you may want together because, studying has to be a priority if you have any hope of maintaining that 4.0. This, however, does not mean that you can’t still have fun together! If you want to spend time together but put studying first you can make study dates! Order some take-out, set up some blankets and get that homework done!
2) S P A C E
Living on campus is a new extraordinary experience, especially for students who are attending college fresh out of high school who have never lived on their own before. Living on campus gives you more time and easier access to school activities, parties and over-all campus life. If both you and your significant other live on campus things could get wonderful and difficult, all at the same time. Having your significant other so close, with no threat of a parent’s watchful eye sounds like a nice treat. But, what many couples who live on campus together seem to forget is that they are more than a couple. Don’t get lost spending all your time on homework and your significant other and back. Make friends, friends that both of you share, and friends that are yours and yours alone. Don’t forget about them. It is important to spend time with your partner but it is just as important to have time to kick-back with your friends and enjoy some time out. Too much time and amble access to your significant other could lead to you feeling suffocated.
3) Prioritize your own happiness
All-in-all, college relationships can be an amazing thing. But the most important thing to remember in college relationships, and relationships in general, is to be happy. Your happiness is valued and important. Your college years are your young and fun years, it is completely okay to be selfish. Not selfish like taking advantage of people, but selfish with your love, with your spirit and everything you are. Your late teens and twenties are not for being complacent, it is not for to be settling for just okay. This is your time to explore and find what makes you truly happy. If the relationship is not making you happy, it is time for you to leave. If the relationship is affecting your work, your school and homework, if the relationship is emotionally draining it is not for you. Don’t be fooled by all the people who say college is when you’re supposed to find love, when it is your time, it is your time. Whether that means high school, college, or beyond, love will come your way. But, in the mean time date yourself and enjoy your youth.