Getting into a relationship can be a very exciting time in your life, especially at the beginning. You just want to hang out with them all the time and spend every free minute you have together. Maybe after some time you’re wondering why you’re getting the cold shoulder from some of your best friends. Sure, they understand you’re in a new relationship and they are very happy for you, but after some time they can start to feel ignored and replaced if you don’t make any time for them. Having a balance between your relationship and spending time with your friends is extremely important. It’s exciting to have a boyfriend or girlfriend, but make sure you don’t lose your friends because they matter too! Here are some tips on how to create a healthy balance.
Manage your time. This is very important, and can really help you to avoid feeling stressed out while balancing your days between your relationship and your friends. During the week, spend free afternoons you have with your friends and roommates, even something as simple as getting lunch or doing homework together. If your partner goes to a different school this may be easier, but don’t be texting him every two seconds while you hang out with your friends. At night, either Skype with your partner, or if he goes to your school you can grab dinner with him and watch a movie. On weekends it’s understandable you might want to stay over with your partner all the time, but make at least one night of going out with your friends once in a while so you can have fun with them and spend the other night with your partner to go out for a nice date night.
Go out in groups. If you go out in a group with your friends and your partners friends, you have the opportunity to hang out with both your friends and your partner. Make sure you give both enough attention though! There is no point in going out in a group if you are going to ignore your friends or ignore your partner. Do something fun like go to a party or go out to a movie as a group. It helps you manage your time and gives your friends an opportunity to get to know your partner more.
Call to say hello. If you’re in your dorm just hanging out with your roommates watching tv and making dinner, call your partner just to say hi. They will appreciate the gesture and know you are thinking of them. You can just call to tell them what you’re up to and if they go to another school you can let them know that you miss them. If you’re spending a weekend with your partner, make sure you still pay plenty of attention to them, but you can still call or text your close friends to tell them what you and your partner are up to and check in to see how they’re doing. They will also appreciate you thinking of them and that you’re being a caring friend who likes to keep in touch, just make sure once again that you aren’t constantly texting!
Plan a double date. This is similar to the group date; it’s another way to spend time with your partner and a close friend at the same time. If you’re friend is single, try setting them up with one of your partners friends! It could blossom into something more which can lead to even more quality time together. Also, if you have a friend with a partner, you can plan to double date with them as well!
There are many different ways to balance friends and your relationship in college, you just have to make sure to do the right planning in order to do so. It may be hard in the beginning, because you are so excited to spend time with your new boyfriend or girlfriend, but let them miss you! It will make you appreciate your time together in the long run, and remember not to forget about your friends. They’ve been there for you all along and you don’t want to lose that.