Every time I come home from college, I face the same series of questions from various family members all along the lines of “are you seeing someone?” or “is there a special person in your life?” The answer is always “not right now” or “no one specifically.” So why is it that everyone is always so concerned with whether or not us single college kids have found a significant other yet? Unfortunately I am trying to get a degree in communications, not an MRS degree. As these past two years of my college career have gone by I have come to terms with the idea that it is okay to be single in college. 

They always say that college is a time to discover who you are and define who you want to be. The key word here is you. Being single has given me the opportunity to, as cheesy as it may sound, “find myself.” I know what you might think; “really, she ‘found herself’?” But it’s true. I came into college with the goal of finding out who I was as an individual, not as a couple. From this I have found some of the most amazing friends, sisters and people in general who make me a better person than I once was. 

But this is not the only thing I learned from being single in college. So far this has taught me to have fun and experience my life as it is. To not worry about what might be coming in the future, but rather what bar I am going to be hanging out in that night with all of my friends, or how I am going to do on my next test. It lets me worry about the single most important figure in my life — myself. 

Now I am not saying that it is bad or wrong to be in a relationship while going through college. If you have found that person that you want to be with, that’s great! Amazing, actually! However if you have not been this lucky remember that it is okay to be single. 

Being single in college is not a curse, but a blessing. It is a chance for you to figure out what you want both from yourself and a partner. It is your chance to make mistakes, go on dates and just let lose. You have plenty of years to find that special person. So for now dance on tables, do whatever makes you happy, and shout from the rooftop, “I am single, hear me roar!”