The decision to go to college is one of, if not the most, formative decision in one’s life. The choice to pursue a college degree will set you up for the rest of your life. 

Not only the financial state you enter adulthood in, not only the career path you will take in adulthood, but also your friends and relationships. A decision so important and formative –  with such permanent effects on one’s life – should not be made based on a connection that very well may be temporary. 

College, from a social and personal standpoint, is about finding yourself and finding your people. While yes, education and preparation for your career is the primary goal, the people you meet in college and the experiences you have will likely stick around for a long time after you leave. 

Going to a school with a partner could subconsciously limit this appetite for self-discovery and social expansion. Because then the mindset would be: what other connections does one need? 

If, or when that relationship dissolves – because of the pressure that comes with being truly independent for the first time, or stress, or financial burden, maybe even the very urge for self-discovery that I mentioned earlier – now what? 

The fact is: The decision to go to college, and where to go, must be more informed beyond the personal connection to a partner. Maybe it’s pessimistic to say, but as in love as someone can be, there is no guarantee that love will last.

If, or when that love goes away, will you still love your campus? Does it still fit your financial needs? Will you still have a social circle there? Will it still set you up for success when you graduate? 

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with going to college with one’s partner. That being said, they cannot be the sole reason for that decision. One’s partner should be nothing more than a footnote on the list of reasons – financial, cultural, etc. – that you choose your campus.