University students make many decisions during their four years at college, the most common of which usually include whether to live on Grounds or off, which internships to apply for and how to balance a social life and their studies. The decision to take their romantic relationships to the next level, whether through marriage or engagement, is a one that most students do not anticipate making during their college years. But for those who choose serious relationships, decisions about housing and jobs are often already predetermined.
"When you're a student in a serious relationship, your priorities change," fourth-year Engineering student Caroline Higgins said. "You have to balance that life if you want to do it all."
Higgins, who has been in a relationship for about five years and recently became engaged, explained one of the most challenging aspects of balancing a serious relationship and school is coordinating schedules with her partner, Jon.
"Saving time for romance is challenging," Higgins said. "I have a challenging major and I go from class to extracurricular activities. Relationships require a lot of time and devotion, and sometimes I must decide between studying and spending time with Jon."
Fourth-year Engineering student Kelly Findlay, who got married last June, also said coordinating schedules can be a major hindrance when it comes to maintaining a committed relationship as a student, especially because her husband works full-time.
"Blending my husband's work schedule with my school schedule can definitely be a challenge; I've had to sacrifice parts of my life," she said.
During her first and second years at the University, Findlay said, her husband lived on the Eastern Shore while she lived in Charlottesville, so the couple could only see each other during weekends. As a result, Findlay sometimes missed out on social events and activities with her friends at school.
Fourth-year College student Kevin Todd is also in a long-distance relationship, whose fianc
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