Behind the designer dresses and seven-figure paychecks, college-aged celebs are just like us. They’re struggling to figure out the whole dating game, too. What did he mean when he said…? Is this the right time to hook up? But unlike us, they have a slew of paparazzi documenting their every move. When they hit rough spots in their relationships, everyone with an Internet connection knows about it instantly. But sometimes, despite all of the pressure, celebs get it so, so right. We rounded up the best love lessons you can learn from celebrities our age and translated them to fit the collegiette lifestyle. From Justin and Selena to Taylor Swift and, well, everyone, here’s what you need to know about dating in college:
Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez: Turn up the romance!
Justin may be just 18, but he knows a thing or two about romance. He’s a fan of grand, romantic gestures that show Selena just how much he loves her. He’s rented out an entire stadium for a candle-lit dinner and a movie, planned date night high in the sky in a private helicopter, and even wrote a song for her. Best boyfriend ever, right?!
After that initial puppy love, can’t-stop-making-out-at-all-times phase begins to fade, it can be tough to avoid slipping into a dull routine. Do you think Justin and Selena watch The Office re-runs every night? (Doubtful.) A sweet gesture can go a long way towards boosting your relationship, but you don’t need a pop star’s budget to pull it off. Try surprising your boyfriend with a mystery date, getting off campus for a night in the “real world,” or sending flirty texts throughout the day.
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth: Block out negative comments.
Miley and Liam (19 and 22, respectively) faced criticism when they announced their engagement last month, but they didn’t let judgmental comments weigh them down. Miley stayed positive and tweeted, “Thank you for all the love today :) I’m happy to share this news with you all. I feel like my dreams are coming true.”
No matter what your relationship status, friends and family are bound to offer up their two cents. Whether they’re dissing the boy of your dreams or constantly asking why you’re still single, it can be tough to hear so many negative voices. Borrow some of Miley and Liam’s bliss and choose to focus on the positive. Are you the first one up to do the Single Ladies dance (with all the choreography memorized)? Awesome. Are you happy and healthy in your relationship? Great! Your approval is the only approval you need.
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Kristen Stewart and Rob Pattinson: The boy of your dreams could be right in front of you.
Kristen and Rob met on the set of Twilight in 2008. While working on the five movies, they grew closer and closer – from “just friends” in 2008 to “are they or aren’t they?” in 2009 to a fully-fledged relationship by 2010. Although both actors had rumored relationships and fizzled flings with other people, Kristen and Rob kept coming back to each other. (Hey, you didn’t think they could fake such strong chemistry on screen, did you?)
Rob and Kristen’s relationship grew out of seeing each other every single day at work. Take a good long look at the guys right in front of you. You might be surprised at who you’re overlooking. What about the guy from your work-study job? Your best friend’s boyfriend’s friend? While you might not want to go seducing your fellow interns, there’s no harm in flirting with the guy who mans the front desk at the student resource center with you. It could happen!
Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult: Keep a low profile.
We’re guessing you’ve probably never seen Jennifer Lawrence and her X-Men co-star and boyfriend Nicholas Hoult splashed across tabloids – and that’s exactly how they like it. The couple has been quietly dating since last year, but they don’t often make red carpet appearances together and it’s rare to hear their names linked. Could their low profile be the key to their relationship?
While it can be tempting to tell the world about your relationship by instantly making it Facebook official the minute you two decide you’re a couple, Instagramming every date and tagging him in every tweet… it’s not cute. Online PDA is just plain awkward, especially when things go sour and you’re left with three Facebook photo albums full of the two of you making out at parties. There’s no need to hide your boyfriend – by all means, make it Facebook official and feel free to upload cute photos every once in awhile! – but keep it classy and understated. He’s your boyfriend, not your entire online presence.
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Taylor Lautner and Sara Hicks: Give your high school sweetheart a chance.
Taylor has been spotted recently on a few dates with his high school girlfriend, Sara Hicks. While it doesn’t look like a serious relationship yet, it’s sweet to see the pair rekindling their high school romance.
If you’re home for the summer, you might be tempted to rule out potential guys to date based on what they were like in high school. But college tends to change people, so look around and give guys from your past a second chance. Your colossally immature high school boyfriend might have grown up; you might suddenly click with a cute guy you had barely noticed in high school; or maybe you finally discover that the captain of the football team isn’t such a great catch after all. Regardless of a guy’s reputation in high school, know that he’s probably changed since then (and you have, too). So, if a guy catches your eye while you’re at home, go for it!
Emma Roberts and Chord Overstreet: Avoid fighting in public.
Emma and Chord were Hollywood’s cutest young couple – until they started fighting in public. They couple has had a tumultuous, on-again-off-again relationship since last year, but their most recent break-up in May was the worst. They caused an ugly scene at a hotel, screaming and swearing at each other until Emma threw a drink in his face. We’d be surprised if we spotted the pair together again anytime soon…
There’s nothing attractive about fighting with your boyfriend in public. It’s messy, it’s personal, and it’s not anyone else’s business. Sure, it’s natural to hit road bumps in your relationship, but whenever possible, they should be addressed in private. (And definitely not on Facebook.) Learn from Emma and Chord’s mistakes – when serious trouble brews in paradise, keep it private. But if there’s any sign of physical or verbal abuse, please don’t keep it to yourself. Stay safe and remember that you have resources; you can always turn to a trusted friend, family member, or your school’s wellness center.
Taylor Swift: Watch your reputation.
Taylor’s little black book includes Joe Jonas, Taylor Lautner, John Mayer, Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Foster… are you getting dizzy yet? And after each whirlwind romance comes to an end, she writes a deeply personal song about the relationship. (We’re still cringing from “Dear John.”) After a string of such high-profile relationships in quick succession, Taylor is left looking a little desperate.
While you might not be in danger of turning every frat party hook-up into a Top 40 single, you are capable of racking up a questionable reputation. Fortunately, a damaged rep can be fixed, but it isn’t easy. Learn from Taylor’s two crucial missteps:
- Confidence, girl! You don’t need a guy by your side at all times. Just keep being your fabulous self.
- Don’t kiss and tell, unless you’re sure your friends will keep quiet.
Next time you need a lesson in love, turn to the tabloids. Young celeb couples know how to make it work better than you might think!
Photo Sources:
All from People.com, except for Taylor Lautner and Sara Hicks, from Us Weekly.