The end from the academic school year is here now, which means that a lot of you out there are going to be ridiculously busy for the next few weeks. Juggling dating along with other life responsibilities is challenging enough on an ordinary day. Throw in the crunch of finals also it can feel extremely difficult.
Fear not. If you are dating someone, here's a few ways to keep the sanity and your love life intact when you're both super busy with school.
- Set expectations.
If you or the person you're dating know you're going to be tied up with school stuff for the following couple weeks, communicate and set expectations. For example, you may can't hang out personally but want to invest in a nightly phone catch-up sesh. Instead of ghosting the other person, talk about everything beforehand to ensure that you're both on the same page.
- Give them space.
If the individual you're dating doesn't deal well with distractions, give them space. Also, if you're the one that needs some space to get through finals, you shouldn't be afraid to ask for it. Personal space is an important part of the healthy relationship. You've both got academic responsibilities. The best person will realize that.
- Ask them what they need from you.
Whether it's room in the schedule to study, more coffee or night time cuddles, ask your partner what they desire of your stuff, rather than assuming you know. Whatever they need, listen and support them. All of us have techniques used in handling stress (for example, your partner may need plenty of carbs & cuddles, whereas you're more of a “stow away just like a monk for 3 days” studier), do not take it personally if their coping mechanisms are different than yours.
- Send them funny gifs.
What better way to lift their mood and inform them you're considering them than with a hilarious gif. A quick gif send is really a fun and casual way to let someone know that you're thinking of them and wish to place a smile on their own face. “I hate videos of adorable monkeys riding on the back of a cat” – said nobody ever.
- Communicate, communicate, communicate.
Open communication is paramount to the healthy relationship, but it is especially important when you are both busy and stressed. Rather than turning off your phone in hopes the other person will just “get” that you'll require some distraction free time to review, be 100% upfront about it to ensure that they're not left attempting to decode your behavior. Pay attention to your lover and then try to see things from their side.
- Keep date night low-key.
When you're up to your neck in school work, only the thought of wearing real pants to take a date together with your family member can seem to be like an excessive amount of (or maybe a date night is what you need to blow off some steam…everyone is different). Whatever your date style, keep expectations low & plan some low-key time together where one can just relax and get caught up. Netflix and pizza are optional, but recommended.
- Surprise them with a sweet gesture.
Doing small, thoughtful things for that other person is a great method to keep your momentum and romance alive even when you're both really busy with school. Bring them coffee at the library. Send them a text letting them know that they've totally got this. When time is important, small gestures such as this go a long way.
- Plan an epic date for after finals are over.
Planning something that you can look forward to together is a great motivator with regards to getting through finals. Maybe it's going to that restaurant that you have always wanted to try, likely to see an amazing concert or spending a guilt free night drinking boxed wine inside your pajamas. Nevertheless, you choose to celebrate the end of the school year, plan something fun that you can both anticipate once the going gets tough.