It’s no secret that college can be a pretty lonely experience. Between late-night studying, partying and just trying to make it through the day, it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one going through it. And while making friends is definitely important, having a relationship can make your college experience that much more enjoyable.
As an undergraduate, you’re constantly told that you need to be focused on your studies and that having a relationship will only distract you from your college goals. But what these people don’t tell you is that having a relationship can actually help you achieve those goals.
Think about it – relationships give you something to focus on other than schoolwork. They also provide a support system when things get tough, and let’s face it, things will get tough at some point during your undergraduate career. Plus, there’s nothing quite like coming home to someone who loves you and is happy to see you after a long day of classes.
So go ahead and date that cute guy or girl in your chem class – having a relationship as an undergraduate can actually help you succeed.
What Are the Benefits of Being in a Relationship as an Undergraduate?
There’s no shame in admitting that you need a relationship in order to get through your undergraduate years. In fact, there are plenty of benefits to being in a relationship as an undergraduate.
Relationships can help you learn how to communicate effectively. They can also help you develop trust and intimacy. And finally, relationships provide an opportunity for you to give and receive love.
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ACADEMICALLY
Having a relationship while in college as an undergraduate can help in ways you never imagined. For starters, it can boost your grades.
Seriously, according to a study by the University of Missouri-St. Louis, students who are in relationships tend to have GPAs that are about 0.2 points higher than those who are not. And it’s not just because they’re spending more time studying (although that is part of it).
It turns out that when we’re in relationships, we’re more likely to feel supported and connected to our peers – and this support system helps us achieve academically. So go ahead and date away – your GPA will thank you for it.
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SOCIALLY
Relationships can help you socially in a lot of ways, especially in the new college environment. For one, they can introduce you to new groups of people that you wouldn’t have met otherwise. Second, they can give you someone to talk to when you’re feeling lonely on a Friday night.
Most importantly, relationships can help you get over your fear of socializing. Once you’ve been in a relationship for a while, it’ll be much easier for you to go out and meet new people. You’ll know how to start conversations, how to make small talk, and how to act around strangers. In other words, relationships will make you social butterflies – or at the very least, social Komodo dragons.
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EMOTIONALLY
You need a relationship as an undergraduate because, quite simply, it will make you happy. Numerous studies have shown that people in committed, monogamous relationships experience less stress and are generally happier than those who are single.
So why not find someone to share your college experience with? Not only will you have someone to confide in and rely on, but you’ll also have someone to help you keep your grades up (or at least distract you from them).
Plus, a good relationship can help you develop social and communication skills that will come in handy later on in life, outside college walls. College is a time when you can learn a lot about yourself and who you are. It’s also a time when you can learn about relationships.
It’s important to have a healthy relationship with someone you can trust during your college years. This person can help you through the ups and downs of college, and they can provide support when you need it.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to your friends and family for help – they’re there for you. But don’t forget to also add a relationship into the mix. It’ll make your undergraduate years a lot more enjoyable.
