College is a time for experimenting.
Students come in as a marketing major and leave with a criminology degree. First year students have never had alcohol before and by the time they leave, their favorite hour is happy. Friend circles rotate and students really find themselves while at school.
But, the question is, is college the right place to find someone else?
I have been dating my boyfriend for a little over a year. He lives about 45 minutes away and we only see each other on the weekends.
Dating off campus ensures that you can spend time chasing your dreams and goals without distractions at school and truly enjoy spending time together outside of school. Remember to always value yourself first.
It is the best relationship I could ever ask to have and this is why.
We both are fully immersed in our schoolwork. All week I can dedicate myself to school, homework, and any clubs I may be involved with instead of worrying about spending time with him.
I find myself staying late at school to work on projects and studying instead of rushing home to pig out and watch a movie.
Most times we make a conscious effort to have all of our work done by the weekends so we can really spend time together undistracted.
It is not only a positive for our relationship, but it also pushes us to be better students.
I know that sounds like a really boring and scripted response, but think about this logically. Typically, you have four years to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life. That is not a lot of time.
These are considered our selfish years! Balancing school, work, a social life and a relationship can be difficult. Keeping your relationship off campus is the best way to stay focused.
It comes down to the person you are dating. If you are comfortable and trust that person, things will run more smoothly.
Dating off campus requires a lot of confidence in your partner. They have to believe that you would never hurt them while you are apart.
Having separation from your boyfriend or girlfriend helps build that trust and support no matter how far you may be from each other. Plus, they know you’d never hook up with the kid in your math class in a dirty basement party anyway.
Dating on campus, however, falls into this problem as well.
Couples are used to spending every night together. When school lets out for winter break or summer, who knows what could happen?
“You’re going to a party with your high school friends and you’re drinking vodka? You know how you get when you drink vodka.”
Dating on campus is controlled dating.
You make your plans every night based on another person.
A relationship that you thought was healthy while in school may have many flaws.
Being exposed to separation can cause havoc for couples whose distance went from across the hall to over the bridge.
Although dating off campus is my personal preference, I know a lot of people who have successful relationships on campus. Many people can stay motivated academically while holding down a local relationship. They can trust each other in semester and out.
Those are the healthy types of on campus relationships students should engage in.
I think going through college with a boyfriend by your side is awesome, but dating on campus just isn’t for me.
I realized that finding time for yourself can make you a better person, friend and girlfriend. If you are happy with who you are and what you are doing, there will be no reason for you not to be happy with someone else.
In the words of Carrie Bradshaw, “The most exciting, challenging and significant relationship is the one you have with yourself.”
