How to Survive Your First College Situationship
design: Sarah Friedman
That guy from welcome week probably isn’t your soulmate.
by Ava Robbins ★ SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
Fall Semester has only just begun, but time certainly doesn’t matter much when it comes to experiencing that first college situationship. With 24 hour access to each other and the guarantee that you'll run into them on campus at the exact moment you don’t want to, let’s just say it's not easy. We wouldn’t call ourselves experts, however, we’ve done our best to compile some tips for making it out of that first college situationship alive (or at least partially).
#1 Call your friends from home
Although it sounds simple, calling your friends from home will help. Even if all they can do is cheer you up for a few minutes, it counts for something. Making friends at college is super important, however when it comes to things like this, your friends from home know you better than anyone else. They have likely already helped you deal with a failed talking stage and know exactly what you need to hear. Being hundreds of miles away from everything you know for the first time is no easy feat, and dealing with a situationship on top of that can make adjustment even more difficult.
#2 Allow yourself to feel it
You’re beautiful, intelligent, and far out of their league; regardless, it still sucks. It’s okay to cry about it- in fact, we recommend it. In order to properly move on you might just need a few days of sulking, hugging your roommate, and blasting “Free Now” by Gracie Abrams in your airpods around campus. After you let it out, it is important to remind yourself that no one has the ability to ruin any moment in your life, especially not a situationship.
#3 Go out with your girls
We know how enticing staying home and listening to sad music might be, despite this, a night out with the girls can be very healing. Put on some hype music, pick out an outfit you love (that signature top and jeans will never fail you), do your makeup, take digital camera pictures (to be seen on your Instagram story the next day), and hit the town! You do not need a person who could not recognize what was standing right in front of them to have a great night. Now go sing your heart out and make some lasting memories, because your life does not deserve to be put on pause for someone who can’t see all that you have to offer.
It's cliche, but loving someone is never a waste. You shouldn’t feel bad about yourself, rather excited over the simple fact that one day you will find someone who loves you in the same way that you love them. That person will not avoid conversations of commitment, and they will choose you just as confidently as you have chosen them. Remember, your parents dropped you off here to find yourself, your passions, and your people, not lose it all at the hands of someone who's unwilling to see you during daylight hours.