Nineteen Fifty-Six Best of 2020-2021 Melanin Magic

CULTURE
I
s dating in college a good idea?
For some, dating in college is the
best decision they have ever made.
While others regret every moment
they spent “dating” someone. The
term can have multiple meanings
but, the two mainstream terms of
dating would be casual dating or
in a relationship. Casual dating are
attachments you pursue for fun, not
for commitment. Then relationship
dating is when individuals in a
committed relationship tend to be
monogamous. In other words, you do
not “date” other people.
College is a place filled with
new adventures, friendships,
opportunities, and so much more.
Before coming to college many
students had the idea that college
would be like the 2000s movies we
all learned to love. The perfect boy
would come in out of nowhere and
swoop the pretty girl up off her feet
and they lived happily ever after.
However, for many, that was not
the case. Some students have never
experienced any sort of dating prior
to college and that is the milliondollar
catch right there.
Oftentimes when it comes to a first
relationship there is always one
person who becomes a bit more
involved than the other. This leads
to distraction, unnecessary stress,
or changes your overall college
experience in a negative light. On
the flip side, many students have
experienced dating prior to college.
They head into college with a
perspective of what dating is really
like. Even though one may already
have a perspective on what dating in
college looks like this can still lead to
a negative college dating experience.
A poll of ten college students at
the University of Alabama was
conducted on whether or not dating
in college is a good idea. The poll
was split right down the middle.
What was interesting to see was
that the ones who thought dating
in college was a bad idea had no
prior dating experience. Three out
of the five mentioned how they or
their significant other was entirely
too much involved in a relationship.
In the process of dating in college,
they lost valued friendships, grades,
and half of their college experience.
Just because someone seems perfect
be sure to remember that everyone
is not always who they portray
themselves to be.
“Oh, it is not fun dating in college.
I really wish I had spent more time
with my friends doing spontaneous
things rather than sitting in a room
with someone who was just on their
phone. I wish I was able to do more,”
said Kennedy Chase, a senior at the
University of Alabama.
One thing about college is that the
friends you make can follow you for
the rest of your life. Take it from
people who have graduated and are
in the real world. One thing they will
always speak about when it comes to
college is the friendships they made.
However, the friendships you make
could also be the person you are
dating.
“My boyfriend is my best friend.
I am so happy to have met him. We
really do enjoy each other’s company.
Definitely one of the best decisions
I have made so far in college. We
support each other a lot,” said Jamie
Jones, a junior at the University of
Alabama.
There are a few important things to
remember when it comes to dating
in college. Date who you want to
regardless of what others have to
say. People can be friends without
having to date. It can be hard dating,
especially when being a minority at
a PWI. The most important thing to
remember when it comes to dating
in college is to remember you are in
college. While it is okay to have fun,
do not let twelve years of school,
countless tests, scholarships, and
loan applications go to waste over
someone else. This goes for anyone
who is madly in love or just casually
hanging out. Always remember that
college is the place to find the you
that you want to be.
It is clear that dating in
college can go one of two
ways. You can either love
it or hate it. Whether one
loved dating in college
or hated it, you learn a
life lesson either way.
It really is true that
people are in your
life for a lesson or a
blessing. As a college
student, make your
decision about dating
carefully.
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