Though, Lacy Jones was nervous about her big history test the following day, she still dressed nicely and went on a date with her boyfriend. She convinced herself the test would be fine and she did not need to study for it. Or at least… she thought she didn’t. The next day when she received her score, she immediately wished she had studied for the test instead of going on that date with her boyfriend.

  Many people have different opinions on dating and how it can affect a student’s academics. Whether it be skipping class to be with with their boyfriend or girlfriend or getting together to study for a test the affects can go both ways–negative and positive. On the negative side, dating can interfere with a student’s academic studies. On the positive side, dating can prepare you for future relationships.

   According to a study by Parade magazine, “More than 50% of all students text their significant other during class, and 81% do not plan to meet their spouse until after high school.”    

  Some students think dating as a student helps later in life when you start actually looking for a relationship to settle down.

  “I think high school dating is a very good learning experience for other relationships later in life,” Courtney McGuire, sophomore, said.  

  While some view having a boyfriend or girlfriend as more important than where they want to go to college, others prioritize their future education and career as the most important thing in life.

  “My boyfriend would never influence where I go to school after I graduate. I know where I’m going and no one is changing my mind.” McGuire said.

  Although that is a common view, there are plenty of other people who don’t feel that way.

  “I’m probably going to go to whatever college my boyfriend goes to. That is, if I decide to go. He encourages me to go, but I’m just not sure if college is for me,” Zoe Breeding, senior, said.

 Not all people have a particular stance on the subject. They often use the term ‘to each their own’.

  “I think whether or not I went to to same college as my girlfriend or vice versa would depend on the relationship itself. If it was serious enough, I might consider it. But what are the chances that we would honestly have that many college classes together unless we decided to major in the same thing,” Jarrett Brooks, sophomore, said.

  Another common view is that dating in high school is just a distraction and could cause your attention and priorities to stray from your grades.

  “Most people are susceptible to distractions in the way of romantic relations and in high school that can deliver a critical blow to your learning experience and therefore your grade point average ,”McGuire said.

  Whatever your stance may be, there’s no argument that this topic is debated between parents, students, and even teachers.

  “Teachers tell us all the time to be focused on our work and not to talk to our boyfriend or girlfriend during class. On one hand, I see why they would think that we are being distracted but on the other hand, sometimes asking your boyfriend or girlfriend for help on the subject can be beneficial. So honestly, I see how the argument could go both ways,” Brooks said.

  StudyMode also conducted a survey where they interviewed 1,000 high school students and college students. Only one quarter of the students answered that dating negatively affects academics.

  The other three quarters of the students “…are prioritizing school over romantic relationships,” StudyMode said.

  Both Parade magazine’s and StudyMode’s research also states, “Today’s millennial students place a higher value on education than they do relationships.”