The expression "if you love something, let it go” unequivocally applies when it comes to college. I’ve seen too many people stress about holding on to their relationships at the start of college. Why hold on? College is a time to explore new things; it’s time to break out of the relationship and be open to new ones.

1. No Worrying

You won’t have to constantly worry if your significant other is being faithful. Relationships are hard enough when you’re in the same town. Now, you’re separated. You don’t know the new people he’s hanging out with, and you don’t have a man on the outside to tell you if he’s cheating. Instead of sitting at home watching his snap stories with girls at parties and having a nervous breakdown, you’ll be free to go out and enjoy all college has to offer.

2. Making Guy Friends

I’ve been at college for about two weeks and can already name a handful of guys that I really hope to become good friends with, some of which actually joined our Bachelor in Paradise girls night. When you’re in a relationship, it’s often harder to make new guy friends. Even if it’s completely platonic, your mind always thinks of who you should be hanging with or would rather be hanging with your boyfriend and you don’t give guys at your school a real chance to befriend you.

3. You Won’t Have To Call Someone All The Time

I understand that if you’re dating a person, then they are probably someone you love sharing everything in your life with. That’s a lot easier to do when you’re in the same town and know the same people, but dating in college just isn’t the same. Instead of calling your boyfriend to tell him everything about your day, go live it. If you spend too many nights in your dorm FaceTiming him instead of meeting friends, you will regret it.

4. Have More Fun

A big part of college is about going out and having fun. If you aren’t tied down, you have more opportunities to do so. You can go to a party and not be afraid to dance with a guy or get a guy's number. When the cute guy in your economics class asks you out, you can say yes. It’s a time for new experiences and, let’s be honest, you want to have some good stories to tell when you go back to see all your high school friends.

5. Don’t Have To Be Afraid To Have Fun

Furthermore, you will not have to be afraid you’re having too much fun. Meeting people and having new experiences without your significant other can sometimes make you feel guilty. Having fun without them is totally OK, but it would be even better if you were single and didn’t have to worry about him viewing your Instagram and Snapchat stories and asking if you even miss him.

6. Focusing On Class

Odds are that your class schedule is never going to be exactly the same as your significant other’s unless you’re really dedicated to making that happen. Instead of spending that hour between classes calling him because you know he has a 20 minute break, you could be going to the library and getting some work done. Your schedule should revolve around you, not him. In a relationship, this makes things hard because then you have little time to talk, so it’s just easier to end it before school starts.

“If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it was meant to be”

In reality, you have about three-quarters of a year apart from your significant other. If you come back home for December break or summer and realize you still want to be together and being apart in college was hell, by all means, go for it, and I wish you the best of luck.

But take the first semester for yourself. Be open minded to opportunities and meeting new people instead of always worrying what your boyfriend is doing and who he is with. If you don’t, you’ll never know what you’re missing. You can always go back to an ex, but you only get one first semester of college.