Penn State is a magical place where so many people fall in love. There have been countless beautiful proposals on campus and couples sharing the stories of their college meeting. But let’s be real — VALLEY knows Penn State isn’t some fairy tale. Things can get messy around here. So, let’s dive into the world of romance at Penn State.
Hookup Culture
It’s no secret that Penn State is a fun school. There are tons of opportunities for socializing, whether it’s through clubs, fraternities, bars, sporting events or more. There isn’t a quiet night of the week here, and students can find just about any excuse to get out of their apartments and spend time with people. So, hookups are bound to happen when social events are constant.
While some may think a friendship is strictly platonic, a few drunk nights can change the dynamic. This isn’t to say guys and girls can’t be friends, but sometimes, in this environment, spending so much time together in a vulnerable state can shift the nature of a friendship.
Friend Groups
The show ‘Friends’ is a perfect example of what college friend group dynamics can look like. In the show, the characters spend every second together and are as close as can be. While the bonds are deep, notice how all of the characters have hooked up at one point or another. That’s what the college friend group dynamic is like. Everyone might consider each other just friends but trust that at some point throughout the friendship, group members have hooked up. It’s just how it goes in college.
Freshman Year
Freshman year is such a wholesome time for forming friendships. But at Penn State, during the first two weeks, so much drama goes down. It almost feels like the dorms turn into a reality dating show like Love Island. Everyone’s excited and just trying to get to know each other, but 18-year-olds tend to catch feelings quickly. So, those early guy/girl friendships can often have some unspoken tension beneath the surface.
The Friend Zone Dilemma
Sometimes those deep friendships between guys and girls can come with a twist – the dreaded friend zone. Many students find themselves in a situation where one person wants to be “more than friends.” This can create awkwardness within the friendship and can lead to a difficult situation if both are in the same friend group. While some people may choose to confess their feelings, others may stay quiet for the sake of everyone else.
Friends to Lovers
You know how people say it’s better to be friends first before dating someone? That might be true at Penn State. As big as the school is, it can be difficult to form meaningful connections. But once people finally build those close bonds, it can be an easy transition into love. Just take a look at all the Penn State love stories.
Overall, there are many opportunities for love at Penn State, but as they say, it comes when you least expect it.
Tweet us at @VALLEYmag with your thoughts on finding love at Penn State!
*VALLEY does not support underage drinking. Please remember to always drink responsibly.*
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