When it comes to romance, situationships are often the first experience that pop into college students’ minds. Whether it be through Snapchat, Instagram or simply the passing of phone numbers, it’s clear that situationships are here to stay. So how does UB feel about their general presence?
“Situationships” are a form of romantic connection that lack clear labels and boundaries. They’re often contrived at the heat of the moment, often because of mutual — or one-sided — attraction, and are a way for people to casually connect without the pressure that comes with an official relationship. Students at UB have shared their thoughts and experiences on the subject matter, with many going in depth about their personal takes.
“Well, I haven’t ever had any, thankfully, but if I were to have one I’m pretty sure I’d go manic,” said sophomore psychology major Faye Calhoun. “I feel like there’s a lot of emotions involved that aren’t fully processed, and I think a lot of people feel like it’s something that they want or think they want, but it kind of stops you from creating genuine connections with people.”
Various students have shared sentiments similar to Calhoun, with many expressing frustration when a connection with a prospective significant other fizzles out. Others discussed the difficulties that came with maintaining such connections, citing school and work as the primary detractors from potential romance.
“It’s so hard to be dating anyone at this point,” said sophomore English major Bethlehem Birhanu. “I have too much on my plate to be worried about somebody and how they’re feeling, unless they’re my friends and family.”
While often the source of much discourse, other students have shared alternative methods for casual dating, expressing the idea that meeting many different individuals would ultimately be beneficial in helping someone find their other half.
“If you’re just trying to have fun, situationships are cool, but after a while you get tired and bored and you want a girlfriend,” said freshman business administration: finance major Derek Ng. “You should experiment until you really find your niche and the right one.”
Many students have been seen to follow a similar approach, with a number of individuals sharing the attitude they adopted when advancing dating and romance. The type of stated methods remained incredibly diverse, with some being especially confident in their ideologies.
“I wait until someone approaches me,” said freshman pharmacy major Jasmine Guerra. “I don’t chase, I attract.”
When the topic circled back to the idea of situationships, it remained clear that a vast majority agreed about the toxicity of such set-ups, with many expressing the negatives that came with being mentally attached to such short-term connections.
“I think they’re a waste of time; focus on your studies unless you benefit from them,” said freshman pharmacy major Lizbeth Hernandez.
Situationships remain a divisive subject across college campuses. While they may be entertaining and affirming temporarily, it seems as though they ultimately lead to further confusion and disappointment, seeing as many of these connections don’t work out. Many students have shared the benefits of stabilizing one’s self beyond relationships, with the idea of self-sufficiency remaining popular and deeply held.
“Right now, I’m in a relationship but I feel like that’s just one of the many parts of my life,” said junior electrical engineering major Sabrina Reverol. “I try not to let it consume me as much as it used to, so I can have more fun with my friends and focus on my studies and other activities.”
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Photo: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
