Should You Stay with Your High School Sweetheart in College?

As summer comes to an end, the reality of returning to school and the responsibilities that come with it are at the forefront of every college student’s mind. As fall fast approaches, many of us are left to question what the fate of our summer romances hold. Is a summer fling worth keeping? What do you do if your high school sweetheart is going to school across the country? Each year, at the end of summer, many young couples are forced to decide the future of their relationship—that is, if there is one. This can be a really difficult decision. To make the best decision about your summer fling or your relationship with your high school sweetheart, you should figure out what the positives and negatives of staying together or breaking up will be for you.

Let’s start with the basics.  How long have you known your significant other? If it’s less than four months, you may want to reconsider your relationship and write it off as summer fling. Being together may be fun in the summertime, but once you two are separated by distance and schoolwork your relationship won’t be so easy. Keeping the summer spark alive may be more work than what it’s worth.

Are you high school sweethearts? If you’re both going to the same college or university and both want to stay together then go for it! If staying together in college is important to the both of you then you can make it work—experience a whole new part of life together. At the same time, you two will both grow as individuals and as a couple you may grow apart. This is totally normal. Your time together was special but you need to do what is best for yourself. With this in mind, always keep the lines of communication open and honest!

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For couples attending different institutions, it may be time to talk and reassess your relationship. College is the time for you to have new experiences. You’re there to learn, try new things, and develop as a person. You have to understand that being in a long distance relationship may hinder your ability to do these things because of the work that your relationship will require. It’s not just you that will be growing up, your high school sweetheart will be changing as well. Do you trust your partner to be honest in faithful? Can you yourself make that commitment? Communication at this time is extremely important. Talk to each other and figure out what the both of you want. You can make long distance work but it will take more effort than you relationship has in the past. Figure out what is going to work best for you individuals and a couple.

Whether you’re figuring out the future of your summer fling or debating what to do with your high school sweetheart, keep in mind that relationships can be tough at times and long distance can make them even more difficult to manage. Despite these cautions, trust and communication between you and your partner can make or break a long distance relationship.