Going off to College with a Boyfriend

Going to your freshman year of college single seems to be the new norm. I always hear people telling high school girls to never go to college with a boyfriend. It's odd for a girl to be committed because she is supposed to have one night stands and try new things. She can't do that with a boyfriend around, right? If she does, then she'll just end up being unfaithful. Well, wrong! Going to college in a relationship is not as weird as people make it seem. It leaves those who do have boyfriends feeling isolated. I'm here to put an end to the doubting and the isolation.

This is a particular topic that has been on my mind lately because I went to college with a boyfriend. Before I went to college, I had a family friend tell me to not go to college while still dating my boyfriend. She wanted me to make sure I got the full "college experience". I didn't listen to her, but her words left me feeling almost ashamed. It was the first thing that left me feeling isolated.

Well, I have recently finished my first year of college and not only did I not like the "full college experience," but I also never met someone in my class with a boyfriend. I was often seemed as the girl who was more of an adult and who "had my life together" simply because I was in a committed relationship with someone. It's not like I was married, he was simply my boyfriend. Most girls wanted to only hook up. They seemed scared of something serious, shutting down anyone who would try to be more. It made me feel weird, for lack of a better term. In no way did I have my life together. All I knew was that I really love the person that I am with. Was I really that weird for wanting a committed, loving relationship with only one person? I never once doubted my relationship, but I was once again, left feeling isolated.

After a whole year, I am glad to say that I am still with my boyfriend. Better yet, I got over my feeling of isolation. I eventually got over that terrible feeling because I knew what I wanted and didn't question it. The heart wants what the heart wants, after all. I didn't go to college to party and hook up. I wanted to learn. I also only had one person I wanted to be with. I was sure of it. I never considered being unfaithful. There were so many new boys around, but they would never be as good as the one I already had.

The truth is, even though everyone else around you is single, it's okay to be in a serious relationship! It truly can be done! My relationship, as well as many others, are proof that you can go to college in a relationship and stay faithful. It's okay to be "traditional" in your dating style. Don't let adults and peers make you feel isolated or ashamed simply for wanting a consistent, loving relationship. No one knows what you want except for you! If you want to go to college and while dating someone then do it. There is nothing wrong with that, and I never want another girl to feel like I did. Just because it is not the norm in a college setting, does not mean that it is weird or wrong. I once had a friend in college tell me, "if you go to college with a boyfriend, it is because you believe that you've found a unicorn in a world full of donkeys. It's okay to keep that unicorn. I would, too."