Why You Shouldn’t Date in College

It’s Valentine’s Day. The time of year where Cupid comes out of his rabbit hole and shoots people in the southern posterior, inspiring them to buy candied hearts and and the sort for that special someone who’s most likely not even worth it. Obviously, you can tell I love this time of year, because I get to kick my single self back in a chair and watch as college students attempt to juggle both education and a relationship at the same time.

It’s like having two girlfriends at once. It just doesn’t work.

“But that’s not fair!” you say. “We’re in love. We’re meant for each other.”

First off, you probably don’t even know what the definition of the word love is (*hint hint* It’s a verb). And secondly, you just can’t do both. Well, I mean, you can, but something will inevitably be sacrificed in one or the other. Here, let me outline my reasons for why you shouldn’t date in college.

It Costs You Financially

Guys, one of your first financial investments will be your relationship. If nobody ever told you that before, then you’re being told now. If you have been told before, and you’re still refusing to listen, then you’re an idiot. Girls cost money, no matter how you look at it. And if you ever consider “going dutch”, even if your girlfriend suggests it, you deserve to get kicked in the teeth. Every girl deserves the best, and if you don’t even have the money to take her out on a date, then you have no business being in a relationship.

But of course, there’s two sides to a coin. Ladies, don’t make a guy buy everything for you. He’s going through college and trying to make something of his life. The last thing he needs is one more thing sinking him further into debt. If you just simply don’t care, then you’re a cold, heartless creature and don’t even deserve to be called a human being.

It Costs You Emotionally

Relationships are emotionally taxing. And so is college. Mix the two together and you’ve got yourself an affair.

It’s important to be emotionally prepared when you’re in a relationship, because honestly, nobody cares to hear how much your life sucks. And really, that’s all you hear from college students nowadays.

Even if you’re on a mountain of garbage, you want to be boldly standing on the top of it with confidence, showing the world and everyone you love that you’re above all your problems. But you’re in college. You’re still still trying to figure out who you are and what you want to be when you grow up. You have school work to do, tests to study for, loans to deal with, along with all the other nonsense that comes with the college experience. The last thing you need is to be in a relationship.

“But we support one another!”

Yeah, but isn’t that what “friends” are for? Besides, the inevitable break-up will only make studying for that next test ten times harder.

And Overall, it’s Distracting

Should you go out on a date, or should you study? That is the question.

“But we all need time to unwind, don’t we?”

Sure, if you were to learn to manage your time properly. But the constant battle between whether you should spend time with your girlfriend/boyfriend or to pursue your career can make that an extremely difficult task.

“But– but–”

I’ve had enough “but’s” for one day. In fact, I’m sitting on one right now.

I think it’s great that you’ve found somebody that you could, with all probability, spend the rest of your life with. But what exactly is it that you plan to do with the rest of your life? You’re going to college for a reason. You’re going there to pursue your career and do whatever it is that you aspire to do.

When going to college, your primary focus should be your education. Once you get established in your career, then you can start thinking about pursuing a relationship with someone. Despite popular belief, there’s absolutely no harm in waiting. You won’t turn gay and you won’t lose your libido from a lack of sex (I hear it’s much more satisfying if you wait until marriage anyway).

Truth be told, you have more freedom, allowing you to do whatever you wish without having to consult anyone. You can pick up a new hobby or even travel the world, if you find the means. And you save yourself from a lot of heartache in the process.

  • Joanne Lam

    Yes :)

  • ki1ted yaksm3n

    This is wonderful advice, but it’s too bad that most college kids won’t listen to this. It’s unfortunately already been embedded in their minds from high school that college is the place to experiment freely and grow and explore as a person, and to them that means dating and partying. I chose not to date in college and it worked out for the better, I even graduated as the Salutatorian of my class.

    And if you really have to date in college, try to meet people who aren’t so like-minded as you (like people outside of school who come from different backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, etc.). They will challenge your ways of thinking and force you to grow as a person exponentially more than your college friends, who most likely think similar to you and would just reinforce your close-mindedness, potentially preventing your perspective on life from widening.