• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
College Magazine logo

College Magazine

College Life, Dating, Career & Campus Advice

  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
    • Find Your College
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
Home » Latest Posts » How the Holidays Can Affect Your Love Life
Life

How the Holidays Can Affect Your Love Life

Facebook Tweet
Lisa Jones   December 19, 2012  (Updated: October 24, 2014)

The holidays are a stressful time for everyone. The combination of final exams and papers, holiday gift shopping, family get-togethers and packing up to go home for the semester is enough to drive any college student crazy. Add saying goodbye to a significant other into that equation and you’ve got a recipe for a not-so-jolly winter break. 

It’s no surprise that all of this holiday craziness can take a toll on a relationship. This is especially true in a college setting, when every emotion is multiplied under the microscope of the miniature world we live in – also known as a “campus.” The relationship that you committed to in September may begin to feel less like a fairy tale when you add in the pressure of buying presents and meeting the parents.

Olivia Katrandijan of ABC news speculates that the family-focused holidays can scare some couples out of a commitment. In an article on ABCnews.com, Kartandijan said, “Perhaps some people realize their significant other is not someone they would want to introduce to their families.” This awkward realization can put strain on a new relationship. According to Jenna Christianson, a senior at the University of Miami, family can affect relationships in more ways than one. “Issues within the family inevitably puts stress on the other person, especially during the holidays” says Christianson.  “If your relationship is not ready to handle those kinds of personal issues, things can get messy fast.”

Psychologist Dr. Dorree Lynn told ABC news that gift-giving can be an equally stressful undertaking. Lynn claimed, “A lot of people have issues about gift giving and how intimate the gift giving is and they get frightened because they don't want to put pressure on the other person, but on the other hand they don't want to feel like a fool giving something and not getting anything back."

Christianson is living proof of this. “My boyfriend of three years has never given me a present for a holiday, anniversary or birthday,” she confessed. “He’s admitted that he’s intimidated by the prospect of giving me a gift I won’t like, and because of this, he doesn’t do it at all. He says I deserve more than what he can give me, but the truth is it really doesn’t matter what he gets, it’s the gesture that’s meaningful.”


trending

407

10 Student Organizations Breaking the Mold at Berkeley

179

Top 10 Spots Around Emerson College to Get Inspired

155

Top 10 Ways to Spot a UT Austin Alum


Despite the issues of presents and family, even the simple prospect of leaving a significant other for the first time since the beginning of the relationship can cause problems for many couples. The first extended time apart is an important test of a relationship’s strength. Busy holiday schedules can make it difficult to keep in touch, and after a full semester of constant contact, a sudden lack of communication can be disheartening.  

 If your relationship is being affected by the holidays, there’s no need to break it off just yet – you’re not alone. Try and look past the tinsel and lights and remember why you and your beau chose each other in the first place. And if you can make it through the next few weeks, you can make it through pretty much anything.   

 

Photo taken from sheknows.com

About Lisa Jones

What I Wish I Had Known About Mental Health So I Wouldn’t Have to Call Myself a College Dropout

Ant-Man Opens the Doors for Marvel’s New Phase

10 Boba Tea Spots for Houston College Students

10 Ways to Have Fun with Your Friends Indoors

Do You Actually Care, Or Do You Want to Look Like You Do?

unsplash.com

Top Ten Inspirational Quotes from Your Favorite Sports TV Shows

I lived with my three best friends. Here’s how it went.

21 Things to Do in Williamsburg When You’re Under 21

The Beauty and Pain of Living Alone

Previous Post:Two Days Later: Reaction To The Most Legendary HIMYM Episode Ever
Next Post:7 Reasons Why I Want Mindy Kaling As My Best Friend

colleges

  • College Guides
  • College Rankings
  • Campus life
  • Academics
  • Dating
  • Freshmen Year
  • Health
  • Party

majors

  • All College Majors
  • Most Popular Majors
  • Choosing a Major

intern

  • Internships Directory
  • How to Write a Resume
  • How to Write a Cover Letter
  • How to Interview
  • How to Get an Internship
  • How to Network

money

  • How to Make Money
  • How to Save Money
  • How to Get a Job
  • Credit Cards 101
  • College Loans

travel

  • Study Abroad
  • College Spring Break
  • How to Travel Cheap
  • Things to Do

shop

  • College Packing List
  • Gift Guides
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

College Magazine logo

Copyright © 2023 Powered by BizBudding