High school couples can, and do, make it in college.
I thought I would start this letter with that, since so many articles on the internet claim otherwise. Now, more than ever, there is a mentality of college being a time when you need to break away from high school, leaving that phase and those in it behind you. This does not have to be the case, and I personally believe it shouldn’t be. College can put a strain on a relationship- this is a given. But with the right amount of dedication and love for the other person, it can be one of the best things about this new chapter of life.
Whenever my boyfriend and I decided to go to the same college, I got the same reaction from my family and friends- everyone was extremely happy for us to be able to continue being close to one another. However, I wasn’t naïve about the challenges that college would bring, and I knew the next four years would introduce a whole set of changes to our relationship. Before the year started, I would occasionally see articles on Facebook that discussed dating in college, which would claim high schools couples were doomed for failure. That’s when I knew I wanted to write about this- I wanted to disprove this argument. Staying in a relationship from high school to college can be challenging, but through my experience, there are a few things I've learned that making this transition a happier and more comfortable experience for any couple.
The first thing I would say to a high school couple transitioning to college is to make time for each other, in whatever way you can. College is much different than high school, and not everyone has the same schedule or goes to the same activities anymore. It’s extremely easy to get overwhelmed being thrown in this environment. However, making time to see your significant other is crucial to maintaining the bond that you have with each other, whether it be getting together for a long night of studying or for five minutes while you get coffee before class. Setting aside time to physically see the other person, not just sending a text, keeps the relationship at the top of both of your priorities.
Supporting each other in everything you both participate in is also extremely important. At the beginning of college, there are a million and one new opportunities and clubs to join, and it’s important that you support each other in whatever you each choose to do. This could be trying out for the volleyball team, which may have been your dream in middle school (like me), or taking a hard class to challenge yourself. Making sure your significant other feels supported and cared for in these things will make both of you happier.
Finally, my biggest piece of advice that I would pass on would be to believe in your relationship. This sounds like an obvious one, but it's probably the most important out of all of these. There are times when you will think that you’re not being a good enough partner or that you’re not doing things right, and you might compare yourself to other relationships. When you start to feel dejected and wish for the old, easier days of high school, this is when you must trust in the relationship you’ve built with each other, and believe that your relationship can withstand anything. Because if you make it so, it can.
