The 7 Stages Of Modern High School Relationships | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

The 7 Stages Of Modern High School Relationships

In the hook-up generation, dating has become a complex game with many levels

30487
The 7 Stages Of Modern High School Relationships

I often tell my family and friends I’m convinced I was born in the wrong time period. I like polka dot dresses, record players and old romantic movies. I’m not a big fan of how relationships have evolved. What ever happened to taking a girl out dancing, going steady, wearing your boyfriend’s class ring or just simple dating? In the hook-up generation, dating has become this complex game of different levels. Here are the stages I’ve established from observing couples throughout my years of high school.

Mutual friends

This stage is the simplest. Boy thinks girl is hot. Boy tells friend of girl. Friend tells girl. If girl is interested, then friend tells boy. If not, friend’s work is done.

Snapchat

If both think the other is good looking then one must make the first bold, frightening step: adding the other on snapchat. Once the add is completed, selfies will be sent between the two. If text is used in a selfie, the relationship is heading in a good direction.

In between

This phase is the most confusing. The couple awkwardly says "hi" to each other in the hall or at sporting events. They still haven’t had a real conversation yet so saying hello in person is weird. However, after Snapchatting for several weeks, both feel they have a duty to acknowledge the other. Friends often help move this stage along by forcing the couple into awkward encounters. Once one successfully snaps a phone number to the other, this stage is over.

Just talking

This phase is when people start asking if the couple is “together.” The answer to this question is, “No, we’re just talking.” Neither has said they like the other one yet, but the couple texts back and forth throughout the day flirtatiously. It is likely that the two have gone for coffee or ice cream once or twice, but it’s still casual.

Together

After hanging out a few times, the couple has successfully graduated from the “just talking” phase. Some face to face interaction has made it possible for them to be more comfortable and both have admitted, in some way, to liking the other person. Congratulations! This is the first big step towards being in an actual relationship. This phase is long and the couple usually hangs out in one of their basements or living rooms, watching movies.

Dating

This stage is activated when the boy officially asks the girl to be his girlfriend. Even if they’ve been on real dates, it is not official until he asks the question, “Will you be my girlfriend?” It may take a lot of time before this stage is reached, but once it is, we finally get a glimpse of some old-fashioned dating. Mini golf, dinner, bowling, the beach, movies and picnics in the park are all things the couple can now do. This is the final stage until a break-up commences.

Ghosting

Ghosting is when a relationship ends suddenly. One person simply cuts off all forms of technological communication with the other without an explanation. I really hope you never get ghosted, but if it happens to you make sure you look really good the next time you see your ghost.

There are many other categories of high school relationships. We have the on-again, off-again relationships, friends with benefits, or the couple that is forever stuck in the “together” phase. No matter what type of couple it is, they seem to all go through some of these stages.

It's no longer normal to just ask a girl out on a date. Instead, dating has become a game where couples must conquer many levels just to go on a real date. Snapchat, Netflix, texting and evolving societal norms have definitely changed high school relationships.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
university
University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

1151
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

17 Times "Friends" Accurately Described Life

You can't say that no one told you life was gonna be this way.

295
friends

In the 12 years since it went off the air, "Friends" continues to be adored by millions. The show that gave generations unrealistic expectations about love (or should I say lobsters?) and New York City apartments had a charming cast of characters that everyone could relate to at some point or another. Here are 17 times Ross, Monica, Joey, Chandler, Phoebe and Rachel accurately described life.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Times Aubrey Plaza Described Sophomore Year

"I don't want to do things. I want to do not things."

646
Aubrey Plaza
Flickr Creative Commons

Aubrey Plaza is one of my favorite humans in Hollywood. She's honest, blunt, unapologetic, and hilarious. I just started my sophomore year of college, and found that some of her best moments can accurately describe the start of the school year.

1. When your advisor tells you that you should declare a major soon.

2. Seeing the lost and confused freshmen and remembering that was you a short year ago, and now being grateful you know the ins and outs of the campus.

3. Going to the involvement fair to sign up for more clubs knowing that you are already too involved.

4. When you actually do the reading required for the first class.

5. Seeing your friends for the first time since last semester.

6. When you're already drowning in homework during syllabus week.

7. Realizing you don't have the same excitement for classes as you did as a freshman.

8. Going home and seeing people from high school gets weirder the older you get.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

College vs. High School

Freedom vs. Curfew

318
graduation

Things you may not realize are different between high school and college:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments