Editor’s note: This is the first in a four-part series exploring the relationship statuses of Ohio University students.
With relationship statuses posted on Facebook for the world to see, college students have become acutely aware of where they fall on the relationship spectrum.
The range of statuses —in a relationship, it’s complicated, engaged, in a domestic partnership or married — can be seen on the Facebook pages of Ohio University students.
For some, though, single is the only way to go.
“Between 50 hours of work a week and schoolwork, I don’t have much free time,” said Steve Yeager, a junior studying computer science and game development. “And I don’t expect to meet someone running from one place to the next.”
For Yeager and many other college students, the time commitments required for schoolwork, extracurriculars and part-time jobs leave little room for seeking out romance.
“I feel like I would probably get less work done if I was dating someone because I would feel obligated to spend time with them,” Yeager said. “It would just be another thing I had to dedicate time to.”
Although committing to spend time with a significant other would add some difficulties to Yeager’s already packed schedule, he said he would still like to meet someone.
“I would like to be in a relationship, but I’m not really interested in anyone right now,” he said. “When things start settling down and I have less things to do, I’ll probably want it more. As of now, I’m not really missing it, but if I had more free time, I probably would.”
Particularly at the beginning of college, it’s important for people to get used to their surroundings before looking for a serious relationship, Yeager said, but toward the end of college people start looking for someone with whom to settle down.
Henry Kessler, a freshman studying art history, said students should give themselves time to adjust to college life before rushing into a relationship.
“I think that there are so many new things going on in people’s lives that it’s important to try not to rush out and be something for someone else,” Kessler said. “This is a time to try to figure out what’s going on for yourself.”
Even after students become acquainted with college life, being single while dealing with the stress of classes keeps school at the top of priority lists.
“When I’m in a relationship, I put that person first and forget about homework,” said Amira Davis, a junior studying middle-childhood education.
Davis said that, although she enjoys being single because she can keep her options open, she still doesn’t like being alone.
But the atmosphere at OU makes it easy for single people to meet others who are willing to spend time getting to know each other.
“I think it’s too easy to meet people,” she said. “Everyone is always drunk and not shy, and people are really open to hanging out.”
Although Davis said it is very easy to meet people, finding someone who is able to dedicate time to a relationship can be difficult with OU’s party-school atmosphere. Bars and house parties are often not the ideal situation to forge a connection with a significant other.
“Commitment is an issue because we’re so young and OU is like a big playground,” she said. “I like having my freedom, but it’s nice to have a boyfriend and have someone there all the time. There are definitely advantages and disadvantages to both.”
The emphasis that a lot of OU students put on going out during the weekends has changed the dating landscape, said Sarah DeCarlo, a senior studying journalism.
“It makes it harder to find someone who wants to be in a committed relationship rather than a hookup,” she said. “My friends and I were talking about this, and we came to the conclusion that people don’t want to go on a nice traditional date anymore. They just want to go to the bar.”
As a senior getting ready to graduate and move on from her college life, being single offers more freedom to pursue post-graduate opportunities, DeCarlo said.
“I’m pretty glad that I’m single because I’m working on my thesis and it takes up a lot of my time,” she said. “And I’m not really sure where I’m going to be next year; I got a job offer in Texas, but I’m keeping my options open, and it’s nice not to base where I’m going to be next year on a boyfriend.”
bm257008@ohiou.edu
