In most cases, dating in college is informed by the freedom students enjoy. However, not everyone gets into the dating scene with the best intentions. Some students are on a scavenger hunt, while others are curious to know how it feels to be in a relationship without being policed around. So, this article debunks the best dating advice any student ought to know.
Dating in college is more than being brave enough to ask someone out. How do you know someone is good for you or they have the best intentions at heart. How do you juggle your studies and a new relationship? These tips might save you from being heartbroken. They will also come in handy in helping you make an informed decision.
How to Date in College
Do relationships last in college? Yes, they do. However, the length and quality of the relationship depend on its foundation. These tips and advice for college dating serve as a guide to an impactful relationship.
1. Maintain Your Sense of Individualism
Embracing your sense of individualism is one of the key points you ought to remember before committing to a relationship. While you might get carried away by the wind of love as you connect with your partner, remember that you are an independent entity and should not lose yourself. Do not get so carried away by the need to fit in their life that you forget about yourself and your needs.
Concerning putting yourself first, do not try to change who you are to fit in the relationship. Remember, relationships entail compromising and letting someone into your world means they should be willing to compromise. Spare some time to be with yourself, doing the things you enjoy. It helps reinforce the relationship you have with yourself.
2. Communicate Your Needs
Clear communication forms the basis of dating in college advice. Being clear about your expectations and needs saves you the pain of investing too much in someone who might not meet your needs and expectations. Cringey as it might sound, it is important to be clear about what you want and how you wish to be treated.
3. Seek Respect, Not Attention
Respect is an underrated quality, and it sums up everything anyone should consider as dating in college advice. Therefore, always look out for respect and not attention in a partner. College relationships might not offer much, but forming them based on respect makes them worth every effort.
4. Have Goals and Set Priorities
Being in college and juggling classes is stressful enough. So, having a partner whose goals align with yours makes everything easy to handle.
5. Choose Someone Who Will Contribute to Your Wellbeing
Another tip for dating in college is to get into a relationship with someone who adds value to your wellbeing. This tip saves you from getting into relationships that might derail you from pursuing your goals. Falling in love with the wrong person might be detrimental to your academics.
6. Think Better
If you are in a situation where you are unsure about the other person's interests and whether they want to be in a relationship with you, slow down. This is a significant reason why you should not date in college. You do not have to rush into the relationship if you are not confident about their intentions.
7. Not Everyone Wants to Date; Some Want to Hook Up
It might sound scary, but the truth is, not everyone wants to commit to a relationship. Some want to hook up and have flings while are exploring what it feels like to have freedom. Others are testing their skills on how to get a date in college.
You do not want to be in this predicament, being invested in someone who does not want the same thing as you. Therefore, clear communication is important in college dating. It clears the air about how you relate and helps you manage your expectations.
8. Your Education Is Your Number One Priority
Remember, dating in college is not the sole reason you joined an institution of higher learning. Therefore, you should be careful not to get too consumed by your relationship to forget about your studies. If your partner asks you to skip classes to hang out with them, you might want to reconsider the relationship.
Juggling a relationship in college and focusing on your studies might be difficult. However, you do not have to put your academics on the line. Should you encounter instances where you need help with your assignments, tests, essays and exams, reach out to us.
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9. Do Not Let Your Relationship Take Over Your Life
The early days of the relationship are likely to have you living in a bubble, thinking that your life revolves around your partner's. You might be tempted to want to spend all your time with your partner. Beautiful as it might look, do not let the relationship take over your life.
Spare time for your friends and the activities you used to engage in before you started dating. Spending time away from the relationship helps you maintain your sanity and sense of self.
10. It Can Be Isolating
Is it hard to date in college? Sometimes it might. If you are in an institution with mixed races, remember dating can be isolating. There is a likelihood of feeling undesirable.
Even though this feeling is inevitable, do not let it consume you. Instead, embrace your sense of self and drown yourself in self-love. You will eventually realize that dating in college is not a priority. It will also help you focus more on building meaningful friendships instead.
11. Is It Worth Dating During College?
Dating in college might be a foreign concept. Therefore, there is a high chance that you might get into a relationship for the wrong reasons, like trying to fit in. This might be detrimental to you or your partner.
Ensure you are like the person you want to date before getting into the relationship.
12. People Might Gossip
If your institution is not as big, there is a high likelihood that people might gossip about your love life. Therefore, you should be psychologically prepared for that. Learn to make peace with it being something you cannot change or control.
13. It Is Okay to Break up With Your High School Partner
Do not feel guilty about your high school relationship not working out. If you feel disconnected from your high school lover, it is okay to end the relationship instead of dragging them along.
14. Have Safe Sex
If you are intimate, ensure to have safe sex and get tested consistently. Colleges have student health centres that offer counselling and testing services. Make the most of these resources.
15. Abuse Might Not Look Like What You Know
Most people consider college dating an experiment since there is a high chance that, as a couple, you are not mature enough to handle what it takes. Most people do not have the tools to resolve conflict. Others get into relationships with unresolved traumas and eventually project them to their partners.
While most people are conversant with physical abuse, emotional abuse is more rampant in college relationships. Should you find yourself in a situation where you are questioning your sense of belonging and sanity, seek help from the school's counselling facilities.
These tips on dating in college highlight the importance of intentionality in relationships. Implementing them will help you have meaningful relationships.
