Marriage: Before, during and after college

While most students are casually dating, others are planning their wedding that’s vastly approaching. 

We're often told that you will find your soul mate during your college years, but the next question that comes up is: Is it a distraction toward school or will it help you by having that consistent help?

Life after marriage may be challenging to some because most married people typically hang around other married couples, but while in college that may hinder your social life.

Dating while in college may put some at risk for missing certain opportunities for their careers. While one may want to leave the significant other to study abroad, some may not want to attend an internship for the summer because it may put their relationship in jeopardy. 

“I missed out on a great internship while in a previous relationship with my now ex-boyfriend,” said Ashley Collins, an education student at Florida A&M University. 

Staying focused on what you came to college to accomplish is ideal, but the risk of losing your significant other is scary for some. Building all that time together could disappear in a matter of month’s — maybe even weeks — for some. 

“Now I wish I would have taken that opportunity because we're not even together anymore,” Collins said. 

“We thought we had hard times while away from each other, but once we both graduated and moved in those hard times got worse,” said Kenard Stevens, whose been married now for four months. 

Some people jump for the joy of commitment but wind up thinking that they're ultimately missing out on the joy of being young, wild and free. One of the main reasons for attending college is to get away from your parents so you can be free as a bird. 

Couples who marry young are drawn to the idea of happily ever after. Most don’t even think of the worst that can happen, not only to the relationship but also to them. 

According to Divorce360, marrying between the ages of 14-18 causes twice the rates for divorce than for those who wait until their late 20’s. 

Being in relationships at a young age can cause people to lose themselves because they’re always trying to please the opposite partner. They believe that it’s their duty to keep the opposite person’s happiness before them. 

No one can tell you the right age you need to be before you get married. But you should consider all possibilities, whether they’re good or bad. 

“Giving each other their space is a must,” Stevens said. “ You always need that alone time because being together at every second of the day can be a strain."