Is It Better To Be Single At University?

08 Feb 2022, by Evie Howarth, min. read

It’s totally subjective. Here are two sides to the story of staying single at university.

With Valentine’s Day coming up, you may be thinking about your relationship status, whether you’re single or not.

It can seem like the grass is greener, which is totally normal and we’re naturally curious as humans anyway. You may be wondering what’s out there if you become single, or how different life would be if you have a significant other.

Here are the pros and cons of being single at university.

Why be single at university

You have more time

More you time means tons of things. More time to study, party, join clubs and societies. Relationships take time and energy, which isn’t a bad thing at all, but you may or may not be in the right place. So being single during your university years may sound more appealing.

You can see who you want

With no strings attached, you can date to your heart’s content. No worries of having to let someone where you are, what you’re doing, or having any real obligations. The single life works for lots of university students for this very reason.

You don’t have to share

Fancy a whole meal to yourself without splitting? Bliss. And let’s not forget splitting that single bed in your dorm roomâ€¦

You can be more yourself

Partners can also bring out the best versions of ourselves, but what we mean by this is you can fully let go. Messy bedroom? Want to go out last minute? No one is going to question you.

You can discover who you are

Are you on the mission to find your passion? Hobbies? Actually learn to look after yourself? Having a partner may detract your attention from this.

Why you shouldn’t be single at university

It’s not always the same

Friends aren’t always the same when you need cheering up, especially if said cheering up involves a longer than normal cuddle.

You may feel lonely

Say you didn’t quite land many, if any friends, a partner would be good in times of loneliness and emotional support.

You may feel empty

It’s all good and well being single and having fun with casual partners, you may feel quite empty when they leave.

Some people, without knowing it, are better off partnered up. If you’re one of those that crave closeness, it could be a sign you want something more than just casual.

Why be in a relationship at university

It feels fantastic

Whether you’re in a relationship already or about to enter a new one at university, it just feels nice knowing someone reciprocates your romantic feelings.

You’ll have support

All adult relationships are conditional. And by that we mean equal effort must be put in from both sides. If you’re with the right person for you too, you’ll have the support you need to get through tough times.

You won’t have to worry about dating

Dating is very hard. Too many options, too many apps, too many people that ghost. By being in a relationship already you won’t have to worry about any of that.

You can grow together

University is a safe space in getting to know people. The wide-open world is a little more brutal and finding time to date can be tough. By being in a relationship at university, you can both grow together.

Why you shouldn’t be in a relationship at university

They might attend a different university

Surviving a long distance relationship can be quite tough (though not impossible). But the matter of the fact is some people simply can’t hack it. And that’s okay.

You’ll worry

Not always in a bad way, but you’ll always have that person on your mind when you make plans. This can make spontaneity at university a little tough as you’ll naturally want to consider the other person. If you’re more independent than your partner, then this can be a challenge.