To my surprise, I was asked well over five times if my boyfriend and I would continue being together when I went off to college. Without a thought, I replied "Of course" every time and would see their dumbfounded expression shortly after. The question felt bothersome and uncomfortable every time, but I was aware of why they were asking: teenagers entering college are often advised not to begin college "tied down" because for some reason, being in a relationship equates to a lack of fun in their minds.
Being that my boyfriend is six months younger than I am, he would be starting his senior year of high school as I entered my freshman year of college. The college I would attend, Stony Brook University, is an hour or so from his house, but can very well be more than two hours on a bad traffic day.
The commute is much too far for me to live at home, so we wouldn't be able to see each other every day like we were used to. Although this was a sad and scary thought, I never had a doubt that we'd be able to make it work.
I still cannot wrap my head around the misconception that having a boyfriend prevents me from having fun in college because I have my most enjoyable moments when he comes to visit me or when I read his cute texts throughout the day. Even if a certain event doesn't involve him, I still have a great time with my girlfriends who provide me with endless laughter and smiles.
If it's true love, your partner will not hold you back from having a good time because your happiness will bring them joy.
The only reason people say you can't have fun in college if you're in a committed relationship is that you can't hook up with other people. Many people feel as though that's what college is for, but newsflash, it's actually to receive an education. Everyone is different, but personally, I would much rather have one person in my life to devote my love to than wasting time on a bunch of little flings.
My boyfriend and I were very quickly able to find an effective way of making time for each other both in person and when we couldn't physically be together. I made a schedule to come home every other weekend, if possible, and if he is able, he visits me one day on the weekends that I don't come home.
Although I still miss my family very much on those weekends that I stay at college, his presence provides me with a sense of comfort and we always have a fun time to distract me from my homesickness. Throughout the week, we call each other every night over FaceTime to see each other's face and hear each other's voice.
Many of the friends I've made at college I was able to bond with because we missed our boyfriends back home. One of my good friends has created the exact same schedule that I have of going home every other weekend and seeing her boyfriend at school when she doesn't go home. My other friend suffers through the long train rides to go home and see her boyfriend every weekend. Although sometimes it takes sacrifices to see our significant others, we wouldn't want it any other way.
I don't know how I would've gotten through this semester without my boyfriend. He was my shoulder to cry on when I didn't do well on a test or had a fight with a friend. When I didn't think I could finish my homework because it was just "too hard," he would motivate me in various ways so that I'd get it done. Every time that I cried because I wanted to go home, he'd remind me that I'd soon be surrounded by all of the people that I love.
The idea that "distance makes the heart grow fonder" is proved to me every day as I FaceTime my boyfriend and yearn to launch through the screen so I can hug him. I never feel as though my relationship is a burden in any way, but I consider it to be one of the best things that's ever happened to me.
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