Ah, college relationships. Nearly everyone will tell you that they're a terrible idea, but here's why they're wrong.
Senior year of high school, I was bombarded with an array of questions. Where are you going to school? What are you going to study? Where is your boyfriend going to school? Are you going to stay together? Sigh.
Yes, we're going to stay together. Isn't that what a relationship is all about? Why break up without even giving it a chance? When I responded yes, I often received a scoff, a raised eyebrow or a "good luck with that." While I was given some encouraging sentiments, I couldn't help but feel shaken by many of the negative responses.
So, for all of the hopeless romantics stuck in the hookup culture of today, hear me out: relationships in college are possible. No, they're not easy. You may be separated by state borders, or torn between schools. Even couples in relationships at the same universities have obstacles to face. But please, don't allow yourself to become discouraged by others and give up on your relationship without giving it a shot. If you really care about someone and wish to be together, put in the effort and go for it. Maybe you're not the relationship type, and that's perfectly fine. Just avoid cultivating the mindset that dating at this point in our lives isn't feasible.
Many couples in college fall apart because of a lack of possibly the most crucial element in any relationship: honesty. If you can't truthfully communicate with one another, it might not be worth it to try to be together. Lies build up and destroy relationships, but those built on loyalty and trust can be amazing.
Probably the most common criticism of college relationships is that you will be held back from creating new experiences and meeting new people. But, once again, this is all up to you. If you are in a close radius to one another, you can control how much time you spend together. Your significant other can even introduce you to new people. Either way, you can always be certain to leave plenty of time to put yourself out there and make new friends. Being in a relationship doesn't mean that you're going to miss out. It's all about finding a healthy balance that works for you.
A lot of people will tell you to stay single, to not get serious and to just have fun. They consider being tied down and being in a relationship synonymous concepts. However, it is completely possible not to be too serious and have tons of fun while dating in college. Don't end a relationship purely to satisfy others' perceptions of the ideal college experience. Create your own experience based upon your personal desires. Create your own path and do what makes you happy.
Ultimately, whether you choose to be single or not, let your decision be made based upon what you truly want, and not on what others may pressure you into believing. After all, it's your life.
