If you looked up “hopeless romantic” in the dictionary, Real Live College Guy Pat would be standing there smiling and waving back to you. As a college guy himself, Pat has witty opinions on all the stupid situations guys seem to end up in. From relationships, to friends with benefits, to altogether lacks thereof, Real Live College Guy Pat has all your answers and more!
As a freshman in college, do I have any chance with a senior guy? We’ve had intelligent conversations and I’m mature. We’re both kind of shy, so do I have a chance? – Freshie at FAMU
Dear Freshie,
Ahh, the freshman-senior relationship. My gut reaction to this question was an overwhelming “no” with yellow flags flying in my head. But upon further review, there may be a chance. No matter your choice, you need to take a closer look at the pros and cons of a potential relationship.
For pros, it appears you may have scored yourself a nice, down-to-earth guy. You’re mature, which will be attractive to him – the last thing a senior needs is a whiny, immature freshman. Also, you’re able to have intelligent conversations which means you both have some mutual interests and similar personalities, something that will play a helping role in getting you two together.
For starters, you’ll be judged. A senior guy with a freshman girl? It sounds like the next plot line of Secret Life of the American Teenager. Seriously, people who you have never met or heard of before will talk about your relationship. Many of them will have negative things to say, and just as many will assume it’s purely about sex and that you’re a poor, naïve freshman. Part of being in a relationship though is the fact that you can brush off other people’s thoughts and opinions because, ultimately, the two of you know what your relationship means to you and that is all that matters. If you’re okay with this, then go for it.
Another thing to take note of is that you’re at very different points in your life. While things are floating on cloud nine this semester, next semester could be a very different story as he faces a scary new chapter in life that deals with terrible, horrifying things such as “graduation,” “getting a job,” and “the real world.” While you’re still stuck in a dorm for the next three years, he’s trying to get unstuck from his Mom’s basement; while you’re trying get through Monday’s Stats class without failing, he’s trying to get through Monday’s staff meeting without being fired; while you’re at a frat party, he’ll be wondering why he hasn’t left the company’s holiday ugly sweater party. You’re in very different places in your life and, although it doesn’t seem like it now, things will change. I don’t want to scare you, but you simply need to know.
All this being said, I see no reason why you wouldn’t have a shot. Obviously I listed a lot more cons than I did pros, but you know what the pros are – it’s why you’re interested in him in the first place. Just because this guy is a big bad senior doesn’t mean he has to be a stereotype. Lots of people date someone who is a different age than they are. If things are as good as they seem to you, I really do think this senior could be interested in you.
So, after reviewing the play, the ruling on the field has been reversed. I guess, albeit begrudgingly, my real answer is yes, you definitely have a shot. Am I cautious? Most definitely. If it were my little sister would I be freaking out? Absolutely. Should how I feel stop you? Not at all. Be warned, be wary, but most of all have fun and do what’s best for you. If this guy makes you happy, by all means I’m ecstatic that you’ve found him.
Photo Source:
Girl in walkway