Who to Choose?

When people first arrive to college, a lot of the times they already are in a relationship. It could be one that has faced the crucial high school years together, or the summer right before college, "let's give it a try!” kind. Either way, when freshmen are about to move in, they give their significant other the “we can get through anything” speech, and then leave for the journey they cannot avoid. I say freshmen because it seems they are the ones who do this most.

In the beginning of their new chapter of life, the conversations tend to spark with “do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend?”, and the answer seems to be an automatic “Yes” followed by a bright smile for the ones that do. Then that usually shifts the conversation to a “nice meeting you” and then an awkward goodbye. But that is only the beginning. How about when freshmen are living the new college life after a month, does their wonderful lover back home still flash before their eyes when they are asked whether or not they are single? The answer is absolutely not.

The new, different life in college often alters a young adult’s mind. It can range from drinking apple juice in the morning, to a much needed cup of coffee, or from going to bed at 9:00pm to not falling asleep until 2am from the stress of finals. In this case, the mind varies in the way of going from a person they “could get through anything” with, to a person that provides them with new excitement; showing up to their room at midnight and staying until 3am, or walking back with them from a party they just had the time of their life at.

So, the question comes down to something so simple, and yet so complicating; who do you choose? Do they keep faithful and stick with their comfortable relationship at home, or do they jump into something totally different; something they had no intention of getting into. It’s as if freshmen are let out of their cage when they leave home, and college is where they want to run around with exhilarating freedom. But should they run looking for something new or just run with what they already happily have?  Either way, the decision is a part of growing up.