Alright, so you’re single. Even if all your friends have boyfriends or even if you just got out of a relationship yourself, there’s nothing wrong with flying solo. In fact, walking into a new semester of college without a significant other may just be the best choice you’ve ever made! Don’t believe us? Read on for our reasons for why starting a new school year single is full of perks!
1. You can be the grade-A student you always wanted to be
A new school year always means a fresh start with plenty of chances for academic success. Whether you’re setting a goal for a higher GPA or trying to land your dream internship, starting the semester strong is crucial. Without the distraction of a significant other, you can spend the first few weeks of school developing good study habits and creating a productive schedule.
“Being single at the start of the semester allows you to really dive into your classes and schedule and get grounded in a structured way,” says Lesli Doares, marriage consultant and author of Blueprint for a Lasting Marriage. “Getting set in a routine will free you up to have fun and interact with others in a way that supports your academic experience, not undermining it.”
In fact, Kendra, a junior at Colorado State University, says some of her highest semester GPAs came from the semesters when she was single. “I was able to study all the time because I didn’t feel guilty about not spending time with a boyfriend, and I never felt judged about all my studying,” she says.
We all know that studying isn’t always the most fun activity, but you are in college to get an education, after all. So don’t be afraid to hit the books and unleash your inner nerd, collegiettes!
2. You can be a social butterfly
Being single never has to mean being lonely. In fact, one of the biggest perks of entering a new semester single is the ability to branch out socially. As a single lady, you have the time to reconnect with old friends or even invest time into some new ones. With no one else to worry about, you can make Carrie Bradshaw proud with fabulous girls’ nights out on the weekend or spend some quality time with a good, old-fashioned sleepover complete with movies and popcorn.
“I actually prefer being single,” says Elizabeth, a senior at Alabama State University. “As a single girl, I get the weeks to myself and have the whole weekend to spend time with my girlfriends. We can go out to clubs, get drinks or just hang out and watch movies. I feel like I would miss out on a lot of that if I was in a relationship.”
Being single isn’t a death sentence to your social life, but rather an opportunity to really live it up! Take this chance to make new friends, make old friendships stronger and flaunt that single girl status.Â
3. You can take time for yourself
They say that college is all about discovering who you are, and that’s going to require spending some time alone. While it may seem a little daunting, don’t be afraid to use the fresh start of a new year to get in some quality “you time.” Â
“Being single allows you to really immerse yourself in you,” Doares says. “Being single in college allows you to focus on yourself and your goals without the distraction of making room for someone else’s goals and agenda. You get to do things your way and in your time frame without feeling judged on an intimate level. Your attention isn’t split by what could be oppositional desires.”
With plenty of freedom and time to yourself, you can figure out what you want from a relationship, a career and your future.
“I spent most of my college career in a series of relationships,” says Katie, a senior at the University of South Carolina. “It wasn’t until I spent some time single that I kind of figured out what was actually important to me and what I wanted for the rest of my life.”
4. You’re free to try new things
Take advantage of your time alone to explore new hobbies, new places and new interests. Have you ever wanted to take up yoga or Pilates? Have you ever wished that you could cook like a Food Network star? Have you ever dreamed of the days where you could actually make those crafts on your Pinterest board? Then go for it! Riding solo is the perfect time to delve into all of those fun activities and interests you wish you would have tried earlier.
“I feel like a lot of girls think that being single is a time to wallow around until you find your next boyfriend, but I totally disagree,” says Johanna, a junior at the University of Michigan. “When you’re single, you should stay busy with fresh and exciting things. Learn how to cook, start going to an exercise class, learn a new language, travel to somewhere you’ve never been or anything else that you’ve always wished you could do or discover.”
We aren’t going to lie; sometimes being single can be hard. But a semester as a fabulous, single collegiette can be fantastic!