Most people can agree that college is the time to find yourself. It is the time to explore new sites, eat new food, stay out too late, and dye your hair about ten different shades of brown while still looking great.  College is the time to take life on at full speed and to never look back. So why does everyone think that we must do it alone?

We have all heard ongoing argument of why being single in college is the right thing to do. “Don’t settle down”, “You have the rest of your life to be in a relationship”, and my personal favorite of needing the “Single Girl Swag.” While these are all valid arguments to those that have never been in a serious college relationship, there are a few of us that would like to respectfully disagree. Being in a loving relationship throughout my college experience has by far been my favorite memory that keeps on getting better. While I do not think that a relationship is right for everyone in college, I also believe that far too many people don’t take chances on something that could end up changing their life.The first thing that needs to be set straight is the unrealistic idea of relationships being perfect. No matter how often you may daydream about it, Prince Charming is not going to burst into your second period Ethics and Legal Studies class and whisk you away into your happily ever after. Just as anything that is important, a relationship takes love, patience, and nurturing in order to grow into something great. 

In the sweet, sweet words of the ever fabulous Taylor Swift with Boys Like Girls, two truly is better than one. Being in a committed relationship is having a partner by your side during the ups and downs of life. It is having someone who will celebrate your 4.0 last semester and will let you vent every day about why Becky in your sorority is seriously crazy. It is having someone who is always there to motivate and push you to your full potential.  While you and your partner are taking on the world together you get twice the friends, twice the family (which we all know means twice the free meals when visiting), and twice the memories. You get to not only live your life but be a big part in someone else’s.  Another great positive about having a boyfriend in college is the judgment free zone. You can wear those ridiculously large sweat pants, no make-up, with an oversize frat tank all day sitting on couch watching Netflix. You can stuff your face with that delicious chocolate cake even though you’re on a “diet” and I promise he will not tell anyone.

The honest advice about relationships is that they are not for everyone. Do not rush into things just because you are lonely. Guys will come and go throughout your time in college and not every one of them will be “the one”. However, that does not mean you should lose hope. While probably 70% of college relationships end in “Yeah man she was crazy” or “He is the biggest jerk I have ever met in my entire life” some don’t. So go out there and live your life to its fullest potential. Next time you’re in bio go ahead and talk to that cute Beta in the back of the class. It is better to say oh well than what if and sooner or later you could be replying with “He’s been the one all along”