Being single in college has many perks. You can go to any party you want, and flirt with a random guy in the cafeteria line and not have to worry about anyone’s happiness but your own. It’s a time for exploring and finding yourself. Why have someone tie you down when the college time period is a chance to be adventurous? While this lifestyle is something many college girls want -- a chance to be free -- it isn’t for everyone.

My freshman year, I went into college never having had a boyfriend. I loathed that fact all throughout high school and I was finally read to embrace the single life instead of hating it. Parties and events on campus were a way for me to branch out and try my luck with guys who didn’t know me from high school. I flirted with that cute boy in my history class. I stayed up late talking and bonding with friends, experienced the college lifestyle as much as I could. Being single in college was much more fun than being single in high school. However, there was something missing. Despite not having anyone to tie me down, I was lonely. I wanted the companionship a boyfriend would bring me. I craved being loved by someone who understood me better than anyone.

When a good friend from home, which was eight hours away, told me that he wanted an actual relationship with me, I hesitated. Starting a relationship long distance wasn’t ideal. But I didn’t want that easy hookup and party life. It’s not me. I’d rather be happy with a guy I texted every single day and was developing feelings for than to wait around and see how many boys I could flirt, date or hook up with at school.

Friends gave me very opinionated advice about having a relationship in college. Most told me I’d regret losing the freedom, but you know what? I gained an even better version of freedom. My boyfriend is my best friend, and we’re sharing the college experience together. He knows every part of me and still loves me. That’s the best kind of freedom there is. I’m completely myself around him and while the distance is tough, it’s so worth it. I wouldn’t give him up for anything, especially to go back to an unfulfilling single college life.

I still have a lot of friends that are single in college and loving it, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Good for them! I wasn’t happy in that lifestyle, and now I’m happy every day. Being single in college just wasn’t for me.