Five types of romances you’re bound to come across during your time in Edinburgh

A couple of years ago, The Knowledge Academy surveyed 3,500 people to find out which unis in the UK are best when it comes to finding love.

The results placed The University of Edinburgh as sixth in the ranking, also making it the highest Scottish university to be on the list. 56.45 per cent of people surveyed said that they found a romantic partner at university, with 16.94 per cent eventually going on to marry their partner – it’s giving Dex and Emma.

And when we think about it, are we surprised? It makes sense that such a beautiful city is conducive to such romantic stories. Who wouldn’t want to find their soulmate at a WhyNot Wednesday? Wouldn’t that be a story to tell the grandkids…

1. Friends to lovers 

Who said romance was dead?

Now this is a situation we’ve all seen before. There’s those two people who are just a little too flirty and who always seem just a little too close – and despite everyones interrogations, the response is always: “we’re just friends.” Yeah guys, sure you are…  Last time I checked, friends don’t look at each other like that. To be fair, it makes sense: They say the best relationships are built on the solid foundations of friendship. Whether it’s Jim and Pam, Jess and Nick, or Jake and Amy, sitcoms are full of this trope for a reason. At the end of the day you two can deny it all you like – we see you x

2. On again off again 

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They’re holding hands now, but give it five minutes…

There’s so much going on with this relationship I don’t think they can even keep up themselves. One second they’re sharing a hot chocolate at Uplands Roast, the next having a row in the middle of Pottorow. It’s impossible to know where they’re at. But do we love the entertainment..? Of course we do. You guys are iconic and always keep things interesting for the rest of us. It must be hard work though, remembering whether you’re supposed to be madly in love or casually avoiding eye contact this week. But hey, at least you’re not boring. 

3. Forced proximity

These two are literally taped to each other – it doesn’t get more forced than that…

This one can come in so many ways. Perhaps they’re forced to sit next to each other in a tutorial or are thrown together at a society event. Or worst of all, they’re in the same flat… This doesn’t have to be a messy situation – is there a better way to liven up a group project when you think about it? No matter what they do, it seems an invisible string just keeps pulling these two together. There’s only so many coincidences before you need to take a hint from the universe. You guys are destined for each other, just accept it x

4. Unrequited love 

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It’s safe to say that this is the worst of all the options. In fact, I don’t know if I’d call it romance at all… Maybe it’s a secret crush on someone who’s with someone else. Or it’s that situationship that gives you just enough to keep you on the hook but never enough to signify real commitment. If this is you then as hard as it is, the best you can do is move on. Time to grab some Ben and Jerry’s and queue some Chappell Roan. You deserve better babes x

5. Slow burn 

How cute are these two?

It starts as stolen glances in the JMCC, a few words at a flat party and bumping into each other on a night out. Their friendship groups seem to be combining and they’re seeing each other all the time. This one, however, isn’t a sudden burst of passion in Gari’s; it’s a slow and steady build up between two individuals who – without realising it – are just drawn to each other. One of those pure situations when everybody seems to realise but them. You’ve probably been taking surreptitious photos for months now, ready to say in the wedding speech: “We told you so.” I don’t know about you, but this is a pair I can’t help but root for.