It’s all fun and games in high school until you start dating someone. It can go one of two ways: lasts until you graduate and maybe until college OR it lasts two weeks and after the break up, one of you is all of a sudden a ‘slut’ and the rumor mill begins.

I honestly wish I was lying about the ‘slut’ thing, but I am really not. I never understood it. You “dated” them – not for long, of course, but you still did. So please, high schoolers, explain this to me, because I see zero correlation here.

Y’all are probably just pissed off that you guys aren’t dating anymore.

It’s fascinating – really. In high school, everything seems as though it will last an eternity but it won’t. Sooner or later the fact that Bobby called Sarah a slut after they broke up will be last weeks news and someone else’s messed up love story will be the center of attention.

The thing about dating in high school is everyone knows. There’s no way to hide it and honestly, you don’t want to hide it.

Also, everyone cares. Everyone wants to know your business, because apparently there’s nothing better to do with his or her time.

If the quarterback or captain of the soccer team asks you out, it’s the only topic of conversation for the next week or at least until the ‘date.’ And then if the date goes horribly wrong, guess what – NEW TOPIC OF CONVERSATION.

Now, college is completely different.

No one cares.

Except maybe those closest to you. But other then that, nope. No one.

Let your freak flag fly, man.

College is a complete different setting, you don’t exactly see the same people for more than a semester and chances are, you’ll never see them again after that.

Or at least, you pray to all the gods you never run into them.

There are thousands of students worrying about their own problems to be concerned with whatever is going on with your love life.

You want to sleep around? Go for it. The only person you’re damaging at the end of the day is you. You want a serious relationship? Go for it. Those are rare these days – especially in college.

College is the time to figure out what the hell you want to do with your life, and at the end of the day, maybe who you want to spend the rest of your life with. Or not.

The difference between high school and college dating is that no one in college gives a single shit about your love life. We’re struggling to not have a mental breakdown in the middle of class – your love life is of little importance. But in high school, everyone and their mom knows whom you’re dating. It’s crazy. Even the teachers know your business.

Dating in high school is cute, if it lasts – but if it doesn’t, then it was just a pointless waste of time. Dating in college is a serious thing – I hope. If not, then it was also a pointless waste of time.

So, for those of you in high school and/or college: Good Luck.