It is that time of the year when all the holidays are finally over, and the weather is finally getting better. All the long nights of Netflix and chill underneath a blanket with a cuddle buddy during the storm were nice and well needed during the cold and lonely months. However, they will soon again cease to exist as the weather gets warmer and people begin to wear less and less clothing.

Do relationships between people change with the seasons? Do seasonal lovers exist? The reality is that this phenomenon actually happens. The timing of “cuffing season” has become a timeless pattern in college that seems to occur the same way every year. As we enter into the fall semester, somehow we all tend to gravitate toward certain individuals for romantic or, rather, spooning purposes.

In college, this is quite convenient because everyone looks forward to that one person they can rely on for a stable and constant hookup every now and then. But it does not even have to be for hookup purposes. In the winter months, everyone looks for someone to keep them company (if one is not sexually active, of course).

Sadly, it seems as though the weather can really play a toll on the relationships that you choose to make. When the warmer months come around, maybe it is coincidence that everyone wants to be left alone. It is too hot to cuddle, especially if you do not have an air conditioner. In a way, this is a very deceiving way of thinking. However, we all know that when the going gets tough, we all just want to cuff.

Now for a possibly controversial discussion: is cuffing season bad? Well, it really depends on who you are. If you believe you are ready to be in love and you want a long-lasting stable relationship, of course you would think cuffing season is overrated. If you are highly religious, I would think that you are totally against the idea. However, if you know you like relationships, but you are not looking for anything serious, then I ask, "Why not?"

All college students know that taking classes on top of everything else in life (work, athletics, extracurricular organizations) is tough. Being broke, being sleep-deprived and being pressured to compete for a degree is highly intense. Why would you not look for someone to help you blow off some steam? I think that in a way, it is healthy to have someone that you can look forward to spending time with when other aspects such as weather and school just completely suck.

Sadly to say, cuffing season usually does not last through the warm months. Recently, I overheard a radio show host say that the DJ was going to play a string of sad love songs that will help one begin the transition away from the cuffing season into summertime. It made me chuckle for a small amount of time, and then it made me realize that breakup season is around the corner. Cue the sad love songs and turn up the summer music, ladies and gentlemen; we are helping cuffing season out of the door.