Being a college student is already hard enough as it is. What with the sleepless nights full of homework and mental breakdowns, learning what ‘adulting’ is and how to do it properly, and keeping our overall sanity so that we function properly around other human beings.

Factor in relationships and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

As a college student myself, I can’t even begin to tell you the number of times people have mentioned to me about finding my husband on campus, going to college just to get my Mrs. degree, and the like. It gets tiring. What if I just want to be single and enjoy learning and expanding my knowledge and my horizons as a strong, independent woman (who don’t need no man)? Is that so wrong to even say I would much rather be single after college than married? It seems almost like a taboo to most people. ‘Not married after college? Then there must be something wrong with you.’

Ladies, I’m here to tell you that it’s okay to not have a boyfriend in college! Ever! It’s okay not to get married during your time in college! But, I also don’t want to knock anyone in a relationship in college. If you’ve found your person, you’ve found them. And that’s great! BUT, and I can’t say this enough, DON’T GO LOOKING FOR RELATIONSHIPS THAT GOD DOESN’T WANT YOU IN. Do not get a boyfriend just so you can say you have a boyfriend. Do not get a boyfriend when you know you’re struggling, whether it be with grades, your faith, your relationship with yourself. Just don’t do it. Guaranteed, almost 90% of the time that struggle will become worse and your relationship will become much more stressful and a burden to you.

Now, I know that it’s hard sometimes. Don’t get me wrong I see couples around campus all the time, and most of the time I get this pang of jealousy and longing. ‘When is God going to give me someone like that? When am I going to find ‘the one’?’ And it’s even harder to just let go and give it to God and trust Him and His timing. Many times I’ve been told that love finds you, not vice versa.

So let’s cut to the chase here alright? Girls (and guys, I’m talking to you too), pray about your future spouse. Pray often. Pray for the qualities you would like them to have. Write them letters about how you’re doing your best waiting for them and that you can’t wait to make so many memories with them. It’s therapeutic and it’s a healthy way to pass the time while we wait for our special someone to come along.

But if you’re ever feeling down in the ‘single pringle blues’ lean on your friends for support. They can give you some insight whether they’re single or not because everyone has been at some point in their lives. But whether your cup of tea is crying, eating ice cream, and watching The Notebook with a couple of good friends or harnessing your girl power by having a night out on the town, you do you girl. Because any guy who ever wants to deem himself worthy of marrying you needs to love you for who you are, 24/7, messy hair, last night's makeup, sweats, and all.