When we think about the college experience, it is easy to imagine that there will be plenty of time for love and romance.
But once you are in school, everything changes. The hours become shorter, your social life can take over, and those pesky finals start stacking up on top of each other like pancakes at a breakfast buffet.
So how do relationships fare when thrown into this mix? And what should you know before embarking on the journey towards establishing one? Let’s find out!
1. What does the research say about relationships in college
The truth is that very little research has been done on this topic. According to the research, college students do not behave any worse in their relationships than those not in college. They have a greater number of options when it comes to finding dates and partners.
According to a study done by Rutgers University and published in The Journal of Adolescent Health, there are three main reasons why relationships break up while in college:
- “Conflicting academic schedules” was cited as the most common reason 75% of the time.
- “Distance” was cited as the second most common reason at 54%.
- “Differences in goals or personal development” came in third with 45%.
2. So why is that?
Since many people (about 22%) don’t get married until they are past 25, being single in college can be quite common and acceptable. Some people feel lonely if they aren’t dating someone or at least hooking up with someone from time to time. It also seems like there is less pressure when you’re younger to settle down so early, which means more freedom for experimentation.
3. How to maintain a relationship while in college
If you want to maintain a relationship with your significant other while you are in college, then these tips may be helpful:
Even though things can get hectic, try always to support each others’ needs and wants when they become available.
Don’t dismiss them or take their feelings lightly, even if they feel trivial sometimes.
Putting the work into it If you want things to last, you have to put in the work. Base the relationship on friendship and honesty and make it a mutual effort.
Being honest and open about everything If you want your relationship to stand the test of time, be sure to be honest with each other when dealing with issues or problems that may arise.
If you follow these simple steps, they will help build stronger relationships if you don’t fall apart from neglect.
4. How to deal with conflicting interests
There are going to be a time when your interests overlap and other times when they clash. It would be best if you kept the conversation open about what the other person likes. You also need to avoid taking the interests of your partner personally.
If you want a relationship to work, there needs to be an understanding of where each person stands in terms of their interests. It isn’t easy to maintain a relationship while in college. If you need a solution that could work for both of you, you can use a service like rapidessay.
If you want your relationship to stand the test of time, be sure to be honest with each other when dealing with issues or problems that may arise. The best way for couples to stay connected and strong is by scheduling time together, supporting one another’s needs and wants, and putting work into it!
