Five types of romances you are bound to come across at University of York

Love is a big part of everyone’s life. It accompanies us in different forms through our various stages of life and at uni, it truly is all around. Being surrounded by all forms of romances in York, I’ve come up with the five different types of romances that you might get swept up in during your time at uni.

1. The fresher

It would be a crime not to start off with this one. The first time you come to uni, you’re this excited person, ready to make bad decisions, blame it on the alcohol and delay the academic experience of uni as much as possible. That’s when the Freshers’ romance might come and sweep you off your feet.

There could be different origin points for this; from meeting on a club night, during Freshers’ college activities or meeting up from those pre-uni group chats where everyone could feel some interesting tension. How they came across one another isn’t the most exciting thing about this type, it’s what follows after. The Freshers’ romantics would typically spend all their time together (due to lack of uni work), possibly commit flatcest, probably go through the dreaded love bombing and break it off… all in the spam of a month (if that).

Safe to say this isn’t the most promising type of romance anyone could wish for. Regardless, don’t be discouraged to seek love during Freshers’ Week – you might be lucky. If not, remember that “what happens during Freshers’, stays in Freshers’” or however the saying goes…

2. The dating app

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This is universal for any year students. Starting off with first years: The urge to download a dating app when you go to uni is strong. You don’t know anyone, you won’t be seeing the same 20 people from back home and your hope has returned. The only downside is that, as time progresses, you start seeing people you’ve met in real life and the swiping game starts feeling very real. Before that point of discouragement, Hinge or Tinder might provide you with entertaining conversations and a couple of dates.

Re-downloading Hinge should be classed as an addiction. We’ve all said we’re over it but we always come back. When you’ve been in uni for more than a year and you’re single and bored, getting back to browsing the market is a very acceptable action. It makes for a cool girls night activity and it might lead to finding your next partner. So, never say never when it come to dating apps.

3. The meet cute

Now this is what every hopeless romantic yearns for and what the love-haters secretly hope for. It’s the classic “finding your soulmate in class” type of romance. Meeting people organically and letting the chemistry between you lead the way is how it should be done. Cliches are intertwined with this type of romance but they’re more than welcome. It all screams rom-com and we’re not complaining!

So, of course, this is by far my favourite type of romance. Even the Uni of York is a fan: Posting the love stories of past graduates on Instagram was exactly what my delusional heart needed to be convinced I’ll meet the love of my life on the first day of lectures.

4. The long distance

Life is unpredictable. Long-distance relationships are more common than you might think, especially during uni years. Most first-years in a LDR have been with that person before uni and now they just have to accept the fact that they go to different unis in different cities or possibly countries. However, there are a lot of scenarios that will create long distance: A year abroad, different graduation times, maybe a summer travel romance! In this day and age distance can’t really separate people and can actually strengthen the bond.

From speaking to a couple of people in this predicament I’ve gathered that there’s a lot of yearning and tears but it’s all worth it. You get to be independent and work on yourself, creating healthy boundaries and improving communication. And once you see your person again everything just clicks in place.

 5. The self love

Last but definitely not least, I couldn’t miss out on the self-love. Uni is a place of self-improvement and growth. Before getting into a relationship, you should be in love with yourself, so that you’re not dependent on someone else to love you. The platonic love could be a big support if struggling with self love. Finding family in your flatmates, becoming friends with people in lectures that you can feel will stick for life and experiencing the pure love of friendship is sometimes the greatest experience you could wish for.

York is the perfect city for taking yourself on coffee dates, buying flowers from the Shambles and going on walks along the river. There’s nothing wrong with romanticising your life. Listen to those love songs, read the romance novels and indulge in romcoms. I know the singles hate the saying “love finds you when you stop searching for it”. I hated it too but as it turns out it’s not really about stopping the search but more so knowing you’re fine with or without that additional dose of love!

Overall, I can confidently say that uni is a place where love thrives. You will catch glimpses of it in familiar faces or coming from a stranger, that might just become the most important person of your life. There are so many ways in which you can experience these and many more types of love. Embrace it!