I remember the first day we began talking about relationships in high school. I’ve always been an eager learner and my “boyfriend” was in my class. Secretly I hoped he would pick up on a couple tips, but he’s a teenage boy. My teacher spoke about how she encouraged relationships, how dating is a part of the high school experience. I could not disagree more. High school, as cliché as this sounds, is about finding yourself. Being sixteen years old, instead of focusing on what college I want to attend, I was suppose to figure out what type of guys I am compatible with? How twisted is that! I don’t believe high school is the time to date. Why would you ever encourage a teenage girl to add stress by constantly worrying about what her boyfriend thinks or does? And you can disagree all you want but every teenage girl stresses about their boyfriend because no one in high school knows how to manage relationships. Sitting here writing this, I have a boyfriend and I am in no way being a hypocrite. Honest, but writing this makes me realize that there is so much more to high school that I haven’t been “open to” experiencing because of the stress of a perfect relationship. Peer pressure is heavy and now that I’m older, people are experiencing things that I personally don’t think any high school student is ready for. You aren’t old enough to drive but you are responsible enough to be home alone with your boyfriend whom you are sexually active with? Why risk it? This is no way an abstinence speech but just remember, don’t put everything on hold for your significant other or let them control your beliefs. This is easier said than done because it has happened to me. Most people drop their standards because “I have liked him for so long and he finally asked me out”. I know that my relationship reflects onto my personality and I feel that every teenager gets so wrapped into the idea of “young love” that they forget what’s really important.

I will never forget the day when my classmate was talking about how my boyfriend and I will probably date for a long time but her and her boyfriend are getting married. I was shocked. All I could think of was “is this girl high?” I could not believe what she said! Maybe it’s just my cynical way of thinking but I’m shocked my relationship has lasted more than three months. How could you tell you were going to walk down the aisle after dating for five months when you are fifteen? You can’t! It’s insane. Now I know that there are “high school sweethearts”, but realistically how often does that happen? Why would you put your entire adolescence on hold just in the hope that this one person you dated so long could be the one? Now reading this you may agree or disagree but either way we all have that lingering feeling of hope that this could last forever. Then you have an argument because it’ normal, and you think there’s no way in hell that I’m marrying this person, he’s insufferable! If you don’t, you’re perfect. Which also means that you’re a liar. Now don’t turn down that cute guy in chemistry because some girl wrote an article on how stressful relationships are, but keep in mind that high school is a time for feeling awkward and stressed and finding yourself, not crying over your boyfriend who talked to another girl for two minutes today!