Keeping A Relationship While in School...Can it Happen?

Hey bloggers!

Balancing a relationship and school is not as hard as many may think it is. It is all about effective planning and good communication skills.  If you have been in a committed relationship for at least a year or so, you may be familiar with this perspective. While in school, preferably an undergraduate like myself, you may set the mornings dedicated to school, the afternoons set to homework and the nights planned for dinner and time spent with your one and only love. It is hard—but it can be done. Being in a relationship for two years and being a junior in college, I find it a piece of cake (at times that is). Just follow these easy steps and you will be just fine.You may be asking yourself how it this possible? Well, all you need to do is read my blogs and I will explain the GOOD & BAD of maintaining a strong relationship while being in college, all from experience..so get ready for a ride in the front row seat on that emotional roller coaster.

·        Keep the path of communication open. Make sure, even if you are overwhelmed with school and work that you set time aside to talk with your boyfriend or girlfriend. Talking about how you feel and even what you did throughout the day will actually help your communication with this very important person in your life. If both of you are on different schedule try communicating through text messaging or email, because even if you aren’t physically there you are mentally and that’s what makes the world go round.

·        Schedule EVERYTHING. Scheduling is another important aspect in this concept. Schedule time that is spent specifically towards homework is helpful. I know personally that if my boyfriend is at work I try to do my homework, that way it is out of the way when he gets out of work. When he is not as work, I find it beneficial to watch a movie while he has the time to. He works three days a week, so that is when I find time to write my papers or complete my assigned readings for the week. Bonding is the key in a strong relationship so that is why scheduling is important. If you are eerie about this concept then physically write out a schedule including the days you each work and go school and when your homework and movie nights are going to take place. Organization helps perfect your schedule.  

·        Don’t sweat the small issues, look at the big picture. If fighting occurs because you are becoming too stressed out with the load of both work, school and balancing that relationship that you don’t want to lose, speak up. Although, sometimes men and even women find it hard to share their emotions on what is bothering them, it is good to let it out. Bottling up these emotions can cause more stress, what is not necessary. If letting out your emotions are a problem, then maybe you want to consider working your issues out.

To be honest, this does not work every day or every week in our relationship but the majority of the time it does and we will make the best of any situation. Being in college is important to me and I enjoy being in a relationship and I would not want it any other way. You should know your boundaries between school and balancing a relationship because you don’t want your school work to go down the gutter and you don’t want to have a front row seat on that emotional rollercoaster everyone dreads from time to time. Make it work—it’s worth it.

You may be asking yourself, "Can this really work?" It is possible. I mean after all, I personally have been on this path for two years now. Just buckle your seat belt and head in the front row on this emotional roller coaster of love vs. education.

Sincerely yours,
jersey_girl