I don't think dating is ever really "easy". But try adding school, work, extracurriculars and maintaining a social life to the mix and it gets a million times more complicated, and at times, painful.

So there will always be a lot of ups and downs, but if nothing else at least we have Ed Sheeran to help get us through all the stages of trying to find "the one" or just the stressfulness of dating in college in general.

1. "The club isn't the best place to find a lover, So the bar is where I go." -Shape Of You

It's college, you're young, but finally starting to feel like you're in control of your own life, so there's nothing wrong with some casual dating! Right?

2."How would you feel, If I told you I loved you? It's just something that I want to do." -How Would You Feel

Well...maybe not. Because you just now realize that with those relationships, there is always the risk of someone getting a more attached than they should.

3."And I wasn't looking for a promise or commitment, But it was never just fun, and I thought you were different" -Don’t

And eventually, someone gets hurt...

4. "Still lookin' at your Instagram and I'll be creepin' a lil', I'll be tryin' t to double tap from wat back" -New Man

I'm pretty sure we can all admit to being guilty of Instagram stalking an ex, because sure they didn't promise anything, and you probably have no right to be upset but you're still gonna keep checking up on them just because.

5. "'Cause all I know is we said hello, And your eyes look like coming home" -Everything Has Changed

But eventually, you will get hit by "love at first sight" and all that will be a thing of the past. Maybe it'll be the person that sits in front of you in Econ. or the person that smiles at you when you pass them on your way to class every day, but regardless now your mind is now free of heartbreak!

6. "Oh, maybe I came on too strong, Maybe I waited too long, Maybe I played my cards wrong" -Dive

Until you say something to them that is...and turns out they're just really friendly...but totally not interested...and have a girlfriend...whoops.

7. "And friends don't treat me like you do… But my friends won't love me like you" -Friends

And while that does lead to some pretty awkward group projects, a crush like that usually doesn't crush you and you can get over it. Especially when you have an amazing friend to talk to and spend time with, and who you eventually realize is probably the nicest, funniest, cutest person ever.

8. "Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me" -Perfect

So finally one of you decides to take the risk and ask the other out! And it feels so completely perfect because you know each other so perfectly and you wonder why you never realized what a great couple you two would make!

9. "Cause maybe I don't wanna lose a lover and a friend" -Everything You Are

Until, of course, it isn't perfect anymore. And you start discovering new things about each other that make staying together hard. But makes it even harder when you think of how much you two have been through together

10. "And it's been a while, but I still feel the same, Maybe I should let you go" -Give Me Love

But sometimes no matter what, it isn't enough, and you can't keep holding on to something that isn't there and will just continue to hurt you both. So you let go.

11. We keep this love in a photograph, We made these memories for ourselves -Photograph

And for a while, it feels like you will never be completely over it, but you learn to accept it and be content just having those great memories to look back on.

12. And all the ones that love me they just left me on the shelf, No farewell, so before I save someone else, I've gotta save myself -Save Myself

It is also around this time that you start to realize how much you always put into people, without worrying or really caring for yourself. So you take that time and focus on yourself.

13. "And of all these things I'm sure of, I'm not quite certain of your love" -Little Bird

Then you meet someone new, and you're not sure about anything really. About how sincere they are or how ready you are, but you also feel ready to take the risk.

14. "People fall in love in mysterious ways, Maybe it's all part of a plan" -Thinking Out Loud

So you take it, and both of you fall and things feel better than they ever have before. So maybe it really was worth the risk.

15. And I know, you're gonna be away a while, But I've got no plans at all to leave -One

But, then they go on a trip abroad. And sure you're sad that you won't be around them all the time anymore. But you also know that a feeling like this is worth waiting for.

16. "You're on the other side, as the skyline splits in two, I'm miles away from seeing you" -All of the Stars

And that's what you do, you wait. Sure you still text and video chat, but it's nowhere near the same. But you know that they're living out their dream of traveling so you're happy, even if you miss them more and more every day

17. "Well, I found love hidden inside, The arms of the woman I know" -Hearts Don’t Break Around Here

The good thing though? Is that when they finally come back, you can sure that they really were worth that risk.