The great divide: Relationships after a significant other heads off to college

story by Melanie Reese≫

There are lots of different ways that high schools relationships can turn out. Two examples are that relationships can either be serious or they can be more casual. Some relationships may last two weeks and others may last for four years. But as fun as it is, high school eventually comes to an end while some relationships do not.

Danielle Mitchell, Sr., has been in a relationship with EHS ‘16 graduate Travis Neis for two and a half years. In the beginning of their relationship, Mitchell and Neis attended different schools but they made it work. Mitchell transferred to EHS from Baldwin High during the beginning of the 15’-16’ school year. Now as a  as a K-State student, Neis still manages to keep a strong relationship with Mitchell.

“Now that he is going to college at K-State, we don’t get to see each other as often as we would in the summer,” said Mitchell. “But, he does come home every weekend. He loves coming home and spending time together. It’s something we look forward to because we are seriously each other’s best friend.”

Some high school-college relationships can work effectively without visits home every week.

Jasmine Thevarajoo, Sr., has been dating EHS ‘16 graduate Jared Fry for roughly three years. Currently, Fry attends North Central Missouri Community College three hours away.

“Now that he’s at school I see him once a month or every two weeks, if we’re lucky,” said Thevarajoo. “It’s busy because he plays baseball there and they practice all year round.”

Thevarajoo can find small positives the distant relationship.

“The distance definitely sucks but it just makes you appreciate the other person more. I wish I could see him more, but it sort of made me more independent because I don’t have him around all the time. As long as you don’t focus on how much it truly sucks, you have a great opportunity to branch out.”

Upon graduation, students may consider furthering their education near their significant others. Mitchell is one of them.

“Next year I have decided to further my education at Bellus Academy in Manhattan, Kansas to pursue my career in Cosmetology,” said Mitchell. “Since I will be in the same town as Travis, we don’t have to worry about the whole distance thing. My choices were to either stay at home and go to a school in Lawrence or go up to Manhattan where I can still be able to enjoy somewhat of a college life and it would be a lot easier on our relationship.”

Others may be more independent and choose the best place to prepare for a career based further away from the high-school relationship.

“Next year I will either be going to a university in Omaha or Milwaukee so it will be 6-11 hours distance which I try not to think about right now,” said Thevarajoo.

Mitchell expresses her thoughts on the future of her current relationship.

“While were in high school together we would talk about our future,” said Mitchell. “When we did, both our our futures past high school involved each other. Personally when I think about my life after graduation Travis is a big part of my future. And I know that he has planned on me being there after high school as well.”