Sophomore government and politics major

Ah, high school sweethearts. Your best friend (or you) finally made a move senior year, and now things couldn’t be better. Homecoming, football games and senior prom all whiz by with that special someone. Thoughts of impending separation are put on the back burner as you enjoy a carefree summer together before heading off to college, excitedly making plans to Skype every day and visit each other.

Then, college happens. Mom and Dad drop you off and suddenly you’re stranded in a wild, overwhelming experience fueled largely by cheap liquor that could pass for nail polish remover. You go out at night. You meet loads of new people. You’re busier than you ever imagined. And slowly but surely, the reality of maintaining a long-distance relationship hits you.

You feel guilty canceling another Skype date, but you simply don’t have time between your chemistry study session and rehearsal with your a cappella group. Wii dates and inside jokes from homeroom worked in high school, but now conversations grow shorter as you realize you have less and less in common.

Once the communication bridge fails, the entire relationship structure falls apart. Maybe it comes crashing down in one dramatic swoop, or, more commonly, brick by brick over the course of the autumn months.

Despite all the excitement of the months leading up to it, the first semester of college can be a hard one. Sure, there are tons of new people to meet, but it all lacks that deep, genuine bond shared with old friends from home. It is completely normal to want to cling to the familiar in the face of so much that’s new. College, besides being many wonderful things, can also be awkward, lonely and frustrating.

Unfortunately, in most cases, staying with a high school sweetheart is like drinking salt water. Initially it satisfies, but eventually you realize you’re thirstier than ever. Each trip home, each evening spent in your dorm room on Skype, each minute spent on the phone connecting you to your old life diverts precious time and attention away from creating a new experience at college.

College changes everyone. Those who enjoy college the most are the people who find a balance — fully immersing themselves in everything campus life has to offer while maintaining their memories and connections from home. Long-distance relationships are enormous time commitments that pile on additional stress during an already overwhelming time.

If you remain in a relationship with your high school sweetheart, you are not alone. Thousands of college freshmen across the nation made the same decision. Letting go of someone you care about can be one of the hardest choices young people have to make. However, there is beauty in letting go. By removing ties to your high school years, you allow yourself to grow in ways never before imaginable. You’ll be amazed by the opportunities that appear once the breakup sadness subsides and that added stress is lifted off your shoulders.

Lauren Nurse is a sophomore government and politics major. She can be reached at lnursedbk@gmail.com.