When it seems like everyone around you is pairing up, remember these reasons why it's cool to be single!

1. You won't be known as so-and-so's boy/girl-friend.
   
   It's about individuality. As college students, despite popular belief, we're still trying to figure out who we are, who we want to be, what we want in life, how to balance social and school life, and how the opposite sex really fits into that picture.
   
   It's cool to be single because it gives us the chance to be individuals, to figure those things out, and grow into the awesome people we were created to be.
   
   
2. You get to control the remote.
   
   I'm not just talking about TV. We have tons of choices that are placed in front of us every single day. From small choices like "What will I eat for lunch today?" and "What movie am I going to see?" all the way to the big ones like "What am I going to major in?" and "What will I do when I graduate?"
   
   The choices that we make in many ways define who we are. As single people, we can make those choices, large and small, on our own, without any pushing and prodding from a significant other.
   
   
3. School, homework, part time jobs…who has time for dating?
   
   The keyword here is TIME. As singles, we're much more free to choose and prioritize how we spend our time.
   
   A significant other can take up a lot of time, and sometimes that time could be spent much more wisely on other things. If I want to spend the evening curled up with a cup of coffee and a good novel, so be it. If my neighbor John wants to hang out with his pals all night with nothing but 25 games, a Playstation, and an endless supply of chips and coke, he can do that.
   
   The idea is that we don't have to settle on doing something just because it's Friday night (typical date night), and we're "supposed" to do something with our boy/girlfriend.
   
   
4. Jealousy, an all too typical by-product of couplehood, is such a waste of energy.
   
   Of course, not all relationships have jealousy in them. But one thing to be said, is that being single is a whole lot easier when it comes to emotions. Sure, we are all emotional at times, but at least those emotions are ones in which we can usually manage to deal with and figure out on our own. Try understanding the emotions of the opposite sex after they've had a bad day, not to mention the many complex emotions that will occur simply by being in a relationship with someone else.
   
   As single people, we can learn to deal effectively with our own emotions, so that we might one day be able to handle the challenges that come in dealing with the emotions of others.
   
   
5. Enjoying time unattached gives you the power to have high standards.
   
   As a single person, one of the greatest lessons I've learned is not to settle. Some might say that my standards are too high, but as I reflect on the relationships I have had and watching my friends' relationships build and sometimes break down before my very eyes, I've come to realize that I don't have to date just anyone.
   
   Once again, there is a CHOICE in the matter. Why would I date someone just because "I can?" As we pursue the adventure that many call love, we want that person to be special, to be something more than just "any Joe Shmo" we can find on the street.
   
   Our time of singlehood can be one of exploration, of deciding what qualities we're really looking for, and at the same time, deciding what qualities we want to offer in our future relationships.
   
   
6. You'll develop better friendships.
   
   Be honest. Who really dedicates equal amounts of time to spend with their friends versus their boy/girl friend?
   
   A wise person that I know once said that some of the friends you make in college will be friends of yours for life. We can really be happy as single people because we have a much greater opportunity to develop meaningful relationships if we're not tied up with one significant relationship.
   
   
7. You have nothing to lose!
   
   I don't mean to be pessimistic. But truthfully, there's always that chance that it won't work out. I speak from experience when I say that breakups hurt. There is nothing fun about them. They don't make you feel good about yourself, and they are usually accompanied by an overwhelming sense that something has been lost, and must quickly be found again!
   
   As single people, we don't have to worry that our friends are going to break up with us. There is no lament about "What went wrong?" and certainly no agony about why we got dumped. We can be completely free of those worries, and able to focus on the important things in life.
   
   
8. Sweaty palms? Who cares?
   
   As single people, we don't have to worry about what we look like, what "so and so" thinks, or if we're making a good impression. We can be who we are.
   
   We can be confident that who we are becoming is a direct representation of the people we desire to be, and not a mirror reflection of what someone else wants us to be. Our self-esteem will soar as we realize how much we have to offer the world and that we are perfect the way God made us.
   
   
9. The sky is the limit.
   
   Bungee jumping. Sky diving. Climbing Mount Everest. We've all got dreams, and it's cool to be single because we can dream BIG. Each one of us has certain things in life that we've always wanted to do. Sometimes we put it off, thinking there will be plenty of time later in life.
   
   Our time in singlehood is the perfect time to seize the moment. Turn some of those dreams into realities. The sense of accomplishment you will receive will do wonders for your soul!
   
   
10. You've got time to figure out who you are and who you want to be.
    
    I think this last reason for why it's cool to be single is the most important, because it encompasses all of the other reasons. Cervantes once said, "Make it thy business to know thyself, which is the most difficult lesson in the world."
    
    College is an overwhelming time of choices, changes, joys, difficulties, growing up, and becoming who we are. And who we are will probably change throughout college and beyond. But as the days of our lives go by, we will find ourselves becoming what in our younger days we only could dream of.
    
    It's important for us as single people, to know ourselves, and what we want out of life, so that when and if the time does come, we'll be able to offer a special person all of who we are, without reservation.
    
    A wise man named Solomon once wrote, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Sometimes it is hard to be single, but my advice is, sit back, and just relax.
    
    Your time of singlehood will most likely come to an end one day. So while you're here, you might as well enjoy it. And remember, it really can be COOL to be single. All it takes is the right attitude!

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Related reading:

• Dealing with loneliness
• Single and happy?
• Don't let love myths steal your joy