This semester, reporters from The Diamondback explored College Park’s bars, interviewed couples around campus and penned essays about the frustrating realities of modern college dating to create our latest special edition: Love & Relationships in College Park.

The Diamondback staff aimed to capture the quirks, limitations and specificities that make finding love — or just a halfway decent situationship — unique in College Park. It’s important to note that not every type of relationship can be represented in a collection like this, but every story featured is based on the honest experiences of students at the University of Maryland.

Read the full stories from this project below or click HERE to access a digital copy of the special edition. 

A student scrolls through Tinder profiles. (Autumn Hengen/The Diamondback)

Recent horror films reflect modern dating real fears

By Stella Garner

The exterior of the University Health Center on Feb. 26, 2025. (Sam Cohen/The Diamondback)

Here’s how to access contraceptives and reproductive healthcare at UMD

By Keira Hardesty and Lillian Glaros

(Screenshot via YouTube)

10 rom-com alternatives for your next date night

By Adam Hudacek

Jaiman Munshi, a freshman computer science major and Ananya Garg, a freshman evironmental science major, pose for a photo outisde of Yahentamitsi Dining Hall on Feb. 19, 2025. (Christina Duncan/The Diamondback)

Meet-cutes spark romance for 3 UMD couples

By Lauren Frank, Adam Hudacek, Emely Miranda-Aguilar, Sanya Wason and Joe Wicke

(Adam Hudacek/For The Diamondback)

A gay guy’s guide to dating in College Park

By Adam Hudacek

A group of people smile for a picture inside RJ Bentley’s on Route 1 on Feb. 28, 2025. (Christina Duncan/The Diamondback)

College Park’s bars shape UMD student life

By Jade Tran

(Screenshot via YouTube)

‘The Bachelor’ revives old school romance with season 29 premiere 

By Maxine Poe-Jensen