I bet you're wondering why you should listen to me...

Picking a college is one of the most important decisions you will ever make, and it deserves a lot of thought.

But hey, I don’t have to lecture you on that because I know you’re already aware. Your senior year was (or will be) filled with filling out applications, getting nagged by your parents to finish said applications, and chatter of where everyone is going. It’s a super exciting time in your and your classmates’ lives, and I know that you’re going to be thinking. Thinking a lot, about your future and where you plan to continue your education.

However, if your thought process for making the right choice is currently centered around a boy…

STOP. RIGHT. THERE.

Listen, a lot of us (if not all of us) have been there. You think that he’s the only thing that matters and wherever he goes is where you belong.

Yes, I realize you aren’t going to admit to thinking like that. No, I don’t believe you when you say you’re different from other couples.

I’m a strong believer in the principle that everything works out the way it is supposed to, which can most definitely be applied here. If your relationship is as strong as you think, then going to different colleges will not be an issue. On the other hand if you aren’t confident enough that your relationship will survive without you two being at the same college, then you shouldn’t even be together.

I realize that sometimes you both have, by coincidence, dreamed of the same university. Obviously if both of your parents and both of his parents graduated from UGA, you will probably both end up there. That’s a different situation.

You might be making a mistake if... you stay near your hometown because your boyfriend is going to community college and threatens to break up with you if you go far away.

You might be making a mistake if... you skip out on your parent’s alma-mater to go to a party school with your boyfriend, to then soon realize that you don't really like him that much.

You might be making a mistake if... you give up your dream school so that you can be closer to the deadbeat who has been cheating on you all throughout your relationship.

.

You deserve better!

I’ve seen all the angles of this situation. Ex-couples that are stuck at the same tiny college that they claimed would be a better environment, very happy couples that are at the same school, strong relationships with people at colleges that are two states apart, and couples that didn’t work out that experienced a lot less pain because they didn’t unnecessarily sacrifice their college choice to be together.

To quote the wise Tina Fey, from the film masterpiece that is Mean Girls, “I know having a boyfriend might seem like the only thing important to you right now, but you don’t have to dumb yourself down in order for a guy to like you.” Or in your case, you don't have to give up an opportunity for a guy to like you. If he tries to say that you do, point him to the door and say "Bye Felicia!"

Everything will work out the way it’s supposed to. So don't feel the need to limit yourself so you can stay in the comfort zone that is your high school boyfriend. If it’s meant to be, it’ll work out.

You’re amazing, beautiful, and smart, and no boy will ever be able to change that.

Take advantage of your opportunities and become even more incredible than you already are!

Unless it's Aaron Samuels, then drop everything and go to Northwestern with him.

Just kidding :)