How to Make a Relationship Work in College
Dating seems like a common part of the college life, but sometimes it can be hard making a relationship last. MochiMag's article "How to Make a Relationship Work in College" gives four tips for making a relationship work in college. They recommend finding someone who has a good balance of similar and different interests, managing time well, adding spontaneity to the relationship, and ensuring that both people trust one another.
First, this article recommends finding a partner with a good balance of similar and different interests. Often times, we can be attracted to someone because of similar interests or because of things that are contradictory that we are interested in learning more about. However, according to Close Encounters, it is most important that two people are similar in their core attitudes and beliefs. (Page 69)
Secondly, the article "How to Make a Relationship Work in College" says that time management is key to a lasting romantic relationship. Time management is a crucial skill for any college student to have and to use in each and every aspect of their life. Time management does not only mean arriving places on time, but so much more than that. By managing one's time wisely, they can stay better prioritized, and maintain a healthy balance between school work, jobs, extra curricular activities and their relationships.
Another important part of maintaining a healthy relationship in college is spontaneity. Adding things to relationships such as surprises, new ideas, or a change in routine can keep it fresh and from getting boring. Researchers such as Baxter and Simon from the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships call this a dialectic tension. The balance between predictability and novelty is crucial to maintaining any relationship. We all long for consistency in relationships. We want to know that our partner will be there for us, but we also want to keep the relationship fun and exciting. Relationship Maintenance Strategies and Dialectical Contradictions in Personal Relationships says that too much certainty can lead to emotional deadening, which includes boredom; and sometimes, boredom leads to breakups or divorce (Page 227).
The final attribute to making a relationship in college work according to MochiMag is trust. Trust is an important part to any romantic relationship, and any other type of interpersonal relationship. Having a partner that you can trust to always be there for you and stay committed will not only be beneficial to the relationship, but can help through the burdens of every day college life. Trust can be shown by talking openly with a partner, taking time to be with them with they are down, staying loyal, showing affection, and listening. These behaviors, and ways of showing and building trust are important to maintaining a healthy relationship in college.
MochiMag's article "How to Make a Relationship Work in College" says that having a balance of similar and different interests, managing time wisely, being spontaneous, and trusting one another is the key to a successful relationship.
Works Cited:
Ako, J. (2011). How to Make a Relationship Work in College, MochiMag.com
://www.mochimag.com/article/long-term-relationship-tips-dating-college-love
Baxter, L. A., & Simon, E.P (1993). Relationship Maintenance Strategies and Dialectical Contradictions in Personal Relationships, Journal of Social & Personal Relationships, 10(2), 225, doi: 10. 1177/026540759301000204.
