Well, it’s college, and it lasts for four years, so at some point people are going to pair up. What that pairing up looks like really depends. On the whole there’s a healthy mix of people in serious relationships, people who are dating casually, people who don’t want to label it, and people who aren’t really worried about it. From my own personal experience, I’ve temporarily spent time being in almost all those categories, and I’ve been pretty ok with each while they were happening. 

Being in a relationship here is different for everyone depending on their needs and the point they’re at in their life and education. Many people in serious relationships have no problem dealing with temporary long distance situations over field work term, or with doing their work here in general. Other people would definitely feel distracted by a serious relationship and prefer something more casual or non-existent so they can focus on working. Overall, it’s a mish mash of both with lots of grey areas in between.

- Meg ‘12