
College is one of the most exciting times in a young adult’s life. The freedom that they didn’t have before is suddenly readily available. College life encompasses so many things; friendships, school work, sports, parties, and of course, relationships.
College is an ocean of options for people who are looking for relationships. You see people from different walks of life. Dating someone completely different from you can help you learn to get along better with people from different backgrounds and behaviors.
College time is always about parties and buzz, but shy students don’t have to wait for a chance on the sidelines. Actually, easygoing extraverts are not the only ones who can have a busy romantic life. Opportunities provided by online dating for singles solve this problem in the bud.
The type of partners you have can influence your dating style in the future and your future in general. Your college years are also part of your formative years, and it’s when most of the opinions and dislikes you have that make you, you are formed. So start relationships, fall in love, and make mistakes. It’s a great way to learn, and it prepares you for the future.
Being Casual or Getting Serious
This is a big question in college dating. Are you looking for something casual or more serious?
Real life experience demonstrates that students generally prefer a simple thing instead of something serious. But this is understandable. Students are busy, and they don’t have time to focus on a committed relationship. And most of the youth nowadays are more concerned with having fun than taking things seriously.
This is where the topic of ‘casual dating’ comes in—a category where most college relationships fall into. Casual dating is just like normal dating but without much of the hassle and stress. Technically, you’re in a relationship, but neither of you is fully committed or in search of something serious. Most casual couples don’t look towards the long term but are there for something short and fun.
Casual dating could even mean an open relationship where both partners can see other people while still maintaining the girlfriend and boyfriend’s title. Some guys even try dating an older girlfriend to show their maturity.
Can College Relationship Last?
Yes, they can. However, most serious college relationships do not continue after both or one person has graduated. Because frequently, the stress and responsibilities that come with adulthood can be overwhelming.
At the same time, most college students aren’t looking for serious relationships and are already aware that their relationships might not last in the long run.
But this doesn’t mean it’s impossible to be in a serious relationship in college that lasts for years – even after graduation. Some college couples even end up getting married, so it’s not impossible for college students to form lasting relationships and bonds.
Possible Benefits and Downsides
Some certain pros and cons come with romantic relationships in college – either casual or serious – that you should take into account;
Possible Benefits:
- Having Someone That Supports You – College can be a rollercoaster at times. With all the stress that comes with being a student, it’s nice to have someone that has your back and is a shoulder to lean on. Having a relationship in college can be compared to having 24/7 support.
- Companionship – those late nights and weekends where you want to lay back and relax when you’re in a relationship, you have someone that you can stay in with and just let go.
- You Can Experience College Life Together – College is a crazy experience, and no one wants to go through it alone. You can joke about the crazy stuff that happens to you two, and learn to see life in a new way together.
- You Have a Special Friend That’s Different From Your Normal Friend Group – While we all love our friends, meeting someone with a fresh point of view can be a breath of fresh air.
Possible Downsides:
- Hometown Distance – It’s easy to be madly in love when you’re on campus and see each other every day. But what about breaks? Especially if you live very far away from each other. Long-distance relationships don’t always work, and this may put a strain on your relationship.
- Partying Loses Its Glamour – Yes, parties aren’t all about hooking up with different people. It can be a bit discouraging when your friend is flirting and dancing with different people, and you don’t have that liberty.
- It Can Become A Distraction – Yes, having someone there to support you can be nice. But relationships require commitment and spending time together. This might affect serious things like your studies or get in the way of enjoying college life as much as you should.
- The Future – That’s the thing about college relationships, what’s your endgame plan? Will both of you stay together? Will you move to the same city? Live together? Questions like this have to be considered if you decide to start a serious relationship in college.
Conclusion
Most people often paint college relationships in a bad light. Mostly because college is seen as your last years of ‘freedom’ before you become a full adult, but that’s not true; college relationships can be freeing in itself. You get to experience the whirlwind that is college with someone special to you. Isn’t that why we all want to be a relationship? The companionship. It doesn’t mean you don’t have friends, but there’s always something special about a relationship.
So, if you find yourself liking someone in college, or you already like someone, and you want to be in a relationship, go for it. If you hold back because you’re afraid of ‘missing out’ on college life, then you’re missing out in itself. So, go out there, date someone if you want to, and have fun while you can. Cause don’t forget, adulthood is just around the corner.