I can’t begin to count to the times I have been asked, “You got a boyfriend yet?” or “You’re too pretty to be single!” Society makes it so that we are expected to start dating and becoming serious with someone early on. Why? College is a time for self-discovery. There are so many opportunities out there and now is the time to really focus on that. You have the rest of your life to share with others. Use this time for you.

1. Focus on yourself.

College is a time in your life where you can make choices based on what is best for you. This is the time to be selfish. If there is a job out there that you have strived for, go after it. When dating someone, it’s not that easy because you have to make compromises. And, at this point in your life, you shouldn’t have to worry about basing career goals on someone else’s. If you want to travel, if you want to move to a different state or if you want to move to a different country, having someone else’s wants and desires in mind might prevent you from fulfilling your own needs and wants. You have your whole life to commit to someone else. Why start now when you can literally do whatever you want?

2. You can literally do whatever you want.

Seriously. Take time for yourself and do what you want to do. Have a girls’ night. Have ten girls’ nights. Go sit in your local coffee shop for hours. Do yoga. Spend a little more than you should on something that will make you happy. Take spontaneous road trips. Meet new people. Start your own business. Eat that extra piece of cake. Take on something challenging. The possibilities are endless, and the best part is you don’t have to consult with anyone else.

3. You don’t have to explain yourself to anyone.

I love being on my own schedule. I like being able to leave whenever I want without having to explain where I am going or what I am doing or even why I am doing what I am doing.

4. A sense of self-worth

I’ve known too many people that cannot be by themselves, and they are quick to jump in another relationship because they are just not okay with being alone. Many more times than not, people become too dependent on their significant other and often don’t realize their own self-worth without having a significant other in their life. College is a time to find yourself. In the past four years, I have grown in more ways than I ever thought I would, and I have to come to realize that it takes a long time to figure out where and how you fit in this world as an individual. There will be times where you will be alone, and you’ve got to learn to be okay with that. Self-love is what’s important.

5. Shaving

The ultimate best part. If you don’t want to shave, you absolutely don’t have to.