When I left for university, I was going through the break-up of a 15 month, very difficult long distance relationship. This break up ruined my summer holidays and kept me very upset throughout my first few weeks at uni, but the constant happenings and new challenges of life away from home distracted me, and my wounds began to heal.
In fresher’s week, a lot of people started dating. I think this is absolutely not the time to be starting a new relationship. You’re caught up in the moment, and could end up with someone you really don’t want to be with, but don’t know how to leave. Being in a relationship takes up a lot of time and effort and in the first few weeks of term at least that time and effort should be spend making huge numbers of friends and working hard, not pinning all your hopes on one person.
Relationships at university are strange. A lot of them are sex driven and turbulent, and filled with fights and affairs. One couple who both live near me cheat on each other repeatedly to make each other feel bad! Maybe this represents the majority of relationships, but in my limited experience (and at a girls’ school, so very skewed) they should not be like that. They should be loving and respectful, and based on you enjoying each others’ company, conversation and shared interests.
On the other end of the scale, I have no problem with public displays of affection (I actually think they’re very sweet) but excuse me if I think you shouldn’t be all over each other in a lecture theatre.
I recently met someone doing a similar course to me, who also goes to brass band and has other shared interests, and we started dating. In many ways this is too soon after my last relationship, but I couldn’t let him slip away. He treats me like a princess, and we can stay up talking from early evening into the early hours of the morning. This is what relationships are supposed to be like I think.