What is love? And no, it’s not the song by V Bozeman.
From soulmates to love at first sight, many have pondered over the concept of love for millenniums. Love has existed for as long as human life. Love is in everything; nature, our community, and everyone’s personal lives.
College students often wonder how to balance college life and relationships, and it’s hard! College offers endless possibilities in many aspects. A couple, Briana Fefie, a sophomore at Dillard University, and Quentin Miller, a sophomore at the University of New Orleans, gave advice on how to maintain love while also surviving in college.
What made you choose each other?
B- “I had known him for a very long time when we finally got together. Everything just felt so natural and he knows exactly how to make me laugh.”
Q- “What made me choose her was I liked her thought process behind life and needed someone to support me throughout my life.”
What is your partner’s best quality?
B: “He’s very patient with me and does his very best to make sure I’m comfortable and that I feel wanted.”
Q: “My partner‘s best quality is her ability to see positives in negative.”
What’s an important lesson you’ve learned in your relationship?
B- “Communication is the most valuable thing you can have. We had resolved so many issues just by communicating calmly and openly to each other.”
Q- “An important lesson in a relationship I’ve learned is to understand other perspectives because I just look at it my way it won’t work out.”
Any advice for those struggling to maintain the connection with their partner?
B: “The only advice I got for struggling couples is to take a breath and analyze the situation that you’re disconnecting or arguing about. No matter your situation, dating can come with his own unique sets of consequences. Rather it be, trying to find out how to spend quality time together, to learn how to communicate effectively. Healthy relationships don’t come at an easy price. We would like to take the time to know some important things to think about when dating or while looking for a partner.”
1. Remember to consider your values and morals. Never be willing to demote your principals to meet someone else’s.
2. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Don’t be afraid to try new experiences with your partner or in the dating scene.
3. Don’t be afraid to discuss sex responsibly. Discussing testing and boundaries are a huge part of what makes intimacy enjoyable and safe. Invest in regular testing.
4. Be vocal. Be vocal about the things that you want, and the things that you require early on in the relationship, therefore relieving the other person of trying to meet invisible expectations, and can also provide leeway into a healthy relationship or dating experience.
Do not forget to also honor your friendships and relationships in your life. Love is more extensive than romance. Whether you’re celebrating with a friend, a long-term partner, or even with some takeout and Netflix, Valentine’s Day celebrates all forms of love. While it is incredibly easy to be caught up in the expressions of love in movies and social media, the reality is love is what you make it.
Famous actress Lucille Ball once said, “ Love yourself first, and everything else falls in line. You really must love yourself to get anything done in this world”.
