Relationship Advice for College Students
Dating on a college campus can be tricky. On the one hand, college
is one of the easiest times to meet potential dating partners. Between
college parties, classes, campus activities, and just hanging around
the dorms and campus, there's no shortage of opportunities to meet
people. Indeed, many couples do find lasting relationships and even
marriage when they're in college.
Avoid Campus Gossip and Campus Drama
Information spreads way too quickly on a college campus, and it's
never a good idea to assume that shared information about a
relationship will remain secret. Couples need to remember to keep
intimate or potentially embarrassing relationship details to
themselves. Keep in mind that loose gossip can especially become a
problem after a rough breakup.
Be Clear About Dating Motives
Students get involved in relationships for very different reasons.
Some students are looking for lasting relationships. Others just want
flings, and want to continue to date other people. Other college guys
(and yes, sometimes girls) are just looking for, well, one thing.
None of this is wrong. The important thing is to make sure that when
two people get together, they have the same expectations. Otherwise,
hurt feelings and heartbreak will result. It's very important to be
honest, and to never enter a relationship lying about intentions, or
with the hopes that someone's intentions will change later.
Avoid "High Drama" Relationships
Some college relationships will result in more drama than others.
For example, dating the ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend of a good friend
may be complicated. So is dating someone in the same dorm, or in the
same close circle of friends. And so is dating a professor, or anyone else in a position of authority or power.
Should these relationships be avoided altogether? Not necessarily.
Sometimes, strong relationships really do come out of less than ideal
situations. However, it's always a good idea to use common sense and to
proceed with caution.
It's Okay to be Single
Finally, it's important for students to remember that it's okay to
be single. In fact, it's highly preferable to be single than to be in a
bad relationship. At some schools and in some groups of friends,
students feel pressured to be in relationships and sometimes even to be
engaged, and this can lead to bad relationships and unnecessary
insecurity about being single. College is a time for learning, for
making friends, for having fun, and for exploring future and present
possibilities. None of that requires a romantic relationship.
College dating comes with some unique advantages and disadvantages.
On the one hand, it may never again be so easy to meet potential
partners. On the other hand, the college environment is not necessarily
the healthiest one for a relationship to develop. Student couples
should use common sense, avoid drama and gossip, value other priorities
such as classes and friendships, and be clear about dating motives