From dating apps to the dreaded hookup culture, dating in college sucks.
Back in November, my lovely friend Chase wrote an article all about dating apps. Dating apps really do suck, especially in small college towns like Athens. I have tried out all of the dating apps, and it is safe to say the same people are on all of them. Plus, there’s so many boring and trying conversation that comes with them. Not my cup of tea. Then, in my experience, you see the people everywhere after you see them on the dating app.
But dating apps are not the worst part of college dating. The worst part is the term "situationship,‘" defined as “a romantic relationship between two people who do not consider themselves a couple but who have more than a friendship.” Situationships are more popular today because expectations within relationships have changed, to a less structured form with less pressure for commitment.
If that works for you that is great, however, as someone who is a chronic overthinker, it does not work for me. Situationships can be damaging to one's mental health. If you decide to commit to this relationship and the other person doesn’t, it can cause low self-esteem and stress. Situationships can have a positive ending, but in most of the stories I have heard they do not end happily. There are so many stories about how people met their future life partners while they were in college, but this is often not the case.
On average, women do not find the love of their lives until age 25 and men until age 28. So realistically, the person sitting next to me in class or the person I matched with on Hinge is not my soulmate. Along with people finding love later in life, dating in college sucks because of hookup culture.
Hookup culture is commitment-free sexual encounters. If you participate and like it, all power to you. In some ways, it can be empowering. I just can't get down with hookup culture because it feels like it leads to a temporary connection. It also is a breeding ground for prioritizingphysical attraction over emotional connection, and as someone who has a lot of insecurities, it is not the healthiest thing.
I am not trying to find my soulmate right now, but finding someone who just wants to go out on dates is so hard. I am not saying it is impossible seeing that I have friends in relationships, it is just hard.
Cassie is a sophomore studying communications at Ohio University. Please note the views expressed in this column do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Cassie? Email her at cb086021@ohio.edu.
