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ON HIGH SCHOOL RELATIONSHIPS JACK
Special to the Torch Things change. It's a part of life. But in college, things change quicker than usual. For all of you freshmen that have a significant other enrolled at a different school, hear me out for a little bit. Everything that you experienced in high school with your baby, boo, bae or whatever you call each other nowadays, is a thing of the past. You won’t be seeing your hubby everyday between third and fourth period. And those public displays of affection outside of your science classroom? That's ancient history, my friend. If you want to keep that love burning between you and wifey, you'll have to
start firing up your laptop for some three hour Skype sessions and text message convos that seem to last for months at a time. And if you actually want to see your bae – you know, like in person? – You better set aside some of your refund check to pay for that $26 train ticket to a school that lingers outside of the tri-state area. I might sound a bit rash, but everything you're reading is true life. Long distance relationships are tough – especially for a freshman college student. You're about to be exposed to a totally different lifestyle. You're going to meet new people, learn new things and develop new interests. And trust me, you'll find yourself wondering about that girl you sit next to in DNY or that guy who lives on the
third floor of Donovan. I'm not saying you'll cheat, but your imagination will be on overdrive. And don't even get me started about the slight paranoia that'll set in as you wonder about your significant other's exploits on his/her respective campus. Who's that guy you were with in that photo? Why'd you like her Instagram picture? Are you sub-tweeting about me? Why didn't you tell me you were going out last night? It’ll never end. I promise you that college will be four of the best years of your life. They’ll also be four of the most complicated. Let babyboo go for this first year. College is a plunge that you’re meant to take by yourself. Me and Jill might actually agree this week...
JILL
Special to the Torch High school relationships are high school relationships for a reason—they are meant to stay in high school. College is a fresh start. And if you enter college with a significant other, that is not necessarily a bad thing. BUT it could be, if you do not approach it right. Whether you are going to marry your high school sweetheart or just date for the first six months of college, it doesn’t really matter. The general rule of thumb is you can’t let that relationship hold you back or you will spend the rest of your college years (and beyond) wishing you ditched that relationship long ago. College is all about new
beginnings. You are given a clean academic slate; you are making new friends, joining new organizations and learning to socialize with people from all walks of life. If you are allowing a significant other to hold you back from these things, it will not only ruin your college experience, but it is not healthy. There is nothing worse than the friend who cannot go out on Friday nights because they need to Skype their boyfriend or girlfriend. Or the friend who takes phone calls in the middle of dinner or who can’t stop talking about how much they miss their lover. And the worst of all,is the friend who leaves campus EVERY weekend to go visit their boyfriend or girlfriend. Eventually, that person won’t be your friend anymore. On the other hand, it is
possible to have balance. Maintaining a high school relationship doesn’t have to be stressful or inconvenient. Yeah sure, relationships take work. But if you are meant for one another there should be an understanding. I can’t answer the phone while I am hanging out with my friends, I can go out on weekends and take pictures with my guy friends. College is only four years. Start it off right. Meet new people, experience new things and find yourself. You have four years to be selfish and just worry about YOU. Don’t waste them with high school baggage. You have to allow each other to be individuals. At the end of the day, your love will survive. Me and Jack might actually agree this week...