The dating scene has noticeably changed since the days our parents went to college. Nowadays, couples are a foreign species and "friends with benefits" isn’t just the kid in class that helps you do your homework. The terminology, and the boys, can be a little overwhelming at first, but here is the breakdown of the 10 stages of a relationship in college. And for any parents reading this, sit back, relax, and buckle up your daughters, because boys aren’t taking us out for milkshakes anymore.
1. The Online Stage
Online: where the Wifi connection isn’t the only hookup you’re looking for. Whether it is DMing, liking her Instagram pictures, or swiping right on Tinder, the Internet is the place to be if you’re looking to connect.
2. The "Getting to know each other" Stage
Now it's time for the hard-hitting questions. After an in-depth stalking of each other’s social media, you’ll get to know things about one another that stem outside of your Twitter, Instagram, and Tinder bios. The conversation may run a little dry from time to time, but the good news is most college boys won’t send the “Wanna play 20 questions?” text… most college boys.
3. The Yellow Heart Stage
With every upgrade, there are new features to Snapchat. The yellow heart feature has brought a new level of seriousness to your Snapchat relationship. Now that the app has done away with the ability of users to view each other’s Snapchat best friends, this is the only way to know that what the two of you have is real.
4. The First Hook-up
This may be the first time the two of you will meet face to face and it will either go really well or horribly wrong. Don’t be too nervous though, because it will most likely involve an over-crowded house with not enough lighting but more than enough alcohol. This is a make or break stage in the “relationship.” i.e., you may never see him after that night, but then again, you might not want to.
5. The “We’re talking” Stage
If stage four didn’t leave one of you wanting to change your phone number, you will most likely enter into the “talking” stage. This stage implies no exclusivity and the title really means little to nothing in terms of your status as a pair.
6. The “What are you doing?” text at 2pm instead of to 2am Stage
This is arguably one of the biggest steps in a college relationship. Rescheduling your hangouts from the middle of the night to the middle of the day is the modern day version of wearing his letterman jacket. This signifies interest in a potential future. Do not take this text lightly, because many girls would give an arm and a leg to be you in that moment.
7. The First “Real” Date Stage
Your first date together! How exciting, right? Wrong. This “date” will most likely include him paying for your meal with his campus dining dollars, but at least you’ll be seen together in the daylight.
8. The “We’re together” Stage
"We're together" is something two people say when they aren’t quite dating but also are not necessarily single. It may seem like some sort of commitment on his part, but do not be fooled ladies, this is most definitely a trap. Many a fellow girl has gotten stuck in the quicksand that is this stage thinking that one day, he'll be ready to commit. Plenty fall in too deep and struggle to claw their way out.
9. The Actual First Real Date Stage
If you manage to escape the death trap of all relationships that is stage eight, you will most likely be taken on a real date. One that involves cold hard cash as opposed to debit dollars and a crowd that is not made up of 90 percent freshmen and 10 percent campus dining workers taking their break.
10. The Actual Dating Stage
Pass Go and collect your man honey, because this is uncharted territory for many college students these days. Make it Facebook official, only Instagram #MCM pictures, and do all the other cliché things couples do nowadays, because even if your friends pretend to hate you for it, deep down they envy you.
If stuck in one stage for what seems like too long, get out now before you catch the feels.
