Everybody knows that when you start college, it is basically like starting a new life. For the most part, your high school life vanishes. Nobody cares what sports you played, if you were in the band, or if you were on homecoming court. College is a new slate. It’s not necessarily the chance to be a new person, just a chance to find the person you always have been inside. You get to meet tons of new people, try all kinds of new things, and finally make choices completely on your own. However, when you are in a relationship your freshman year of college, it’s hard to do all these new things.

First off, when you’re in a relationship, it’s hard to interact with new people, especially those of the opposite sex. Nowadays if you look at someone too long, it’s automatically issued that you have a crush on the person. Well, college is about meeting new people. If you’re in a relationship it’s hard for your significant other not to get jealous. They don’t want you meeting new people of the opposite sex. This can distance you from others because then nobody wants to invite the girl or boy in a relationship anywhere because then it looks bad.

Next, you can pretty much cross out going to frat parties and having a nightlife. Having a boyfriend or girlfriend in college is almost like having your parent there. They aren’t going to want you going to every single party you’re invited to; you’ll be lucky to attend one. These gatherings aren’t just about partying either. You meet some great people that you’ll spend the rest of your college life with, so it would be a shame to miss out on this.

Like I said before, it’s like having a parent with you. If they don’t want you going anywhere you’re obligated to listen to them. Some will even get jealous about a girls' or guys' night out. This is just unacceptable. You shouldn’t have to ask permission to go somewhere in college or feel pressured to stay home. Everybody needs his or her space. There are so many people I know that seem miserable in their relationship because they never get to do anything. If they are out doing something, they’re probably sneaking around lying to their significant other about where they are and what they’re doing. Nobody wants to live like that.

I’m not saying if you’re in a relationship to break up with the person you're with. If you happen to be single at the moment, then just try to play it cool and don’t go looking for a relationship too quick. You have plenty of time for that and if you get involved you’ll see that you don’t need a relationship to have fun and do things. College is a great experience, so you definitely want to make the best of out it.