Piper Schouten, left: a freshman in English language arts education, eats ice cream, while Pinij NaLampoon, right, a junior in mass communications, drinks alcohol. These are two cliche’ break up rituals some turn to. JD Schein / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
The end of a relationship is seen, to many, as a traumatic life event. However, are break ups really all that bad?
According to Science Daily, break ups aren’t nearly as bad as people make them out to be. People don’t seem to take into account the good outcomes that follow a break up.
People often forget they are able to have the benefits of the single life also. More independence is felt, there is more time for yourself and you’re able to branch out and meet more people.
Although there are benefits of a break up, many people still want to know why it happens.
“I think that experiencing ‘college life’ does have a lot to do with relationships working out or not,” said Kara Wilson, a sophomore in pre-nursing and psychology. “I think that (some guys) like to experience the stereotypical college guy life; date as many girls as you can until there is one that you can’t get out of your mind.”
So what causes these break ups? Reasons can be something as simple as one partner moving away, or as broad as “falling out of love.”
Relocations can cause stress on couples and their relationships.
Some couples may break up as they find jobs, go to graduate schools or return back home. The couple may decide they aren’t ready for marriage and can not handle a long distance relationship.
“Because of conflicting schedules, some people may find it hard to find time for each other,” said Heather Gant, a junior in psychology.
“Eventually, each person may feel that the relationship is becoming a second priority.”
Students coming into college as freshmen, may have the misconception they are supposed to find their husband or wife within these four years.
This misconception can lead to the forcing of a relationship.
“Sometimes in college, you rush into a relationship because everyone else is,” Wilson said. “But, I don’t think anyone should search for it, it will find you (eventually).”
The fantasy view of love, that everything is perfect, can ultimately lead to a break up. Also, when things start to get rough in life, the first response is to blame each other, which can also lead to the end of a relationship.
Wilson said she believes if someone knows their partner well enough and all of the sudden their actions or feelings seem withdrawn or different, then something is wrong.
Some setbacks after a break up include: having trust issues, stages of grief, the feeling of starting over and struggling with separating the past from the present.
“After break ups, some people can become scared to commit to someone else, thinking that the relationship may end also,” Gant said.
Friends can be the popular crutch in getting over a break up. According to most girls, they turn to their friends for support.
Clara Smith, a junior in human resource management, said hanging out with friends really does keep your mind off the break up.
“The old saying about keeping busy really does help you get over someone,” Smith said.
Although relationships can be complicated and many people do not get the answers they want, there is still a learning experience which can be taken away from every past relationship.
