Everyone knows that the best part of college is the memories you make with your friends — whether it’s in the dorms, at the frats or even in the library. The most anticipated time for college students is spring break. The sun seems to shine forever, the beaches are packed, and unfortunately, relationship break-up rates soar. A trend going around on TikTok suggests that if your significant other goes on spring break with their friends to Fort Lauderdale or wherever, it’s a pretty good reason to break up with them.
Personally, I don’t think so.
While I can recognize that some people out there do go on spring break just to cheat, that doesn’t mean everyone does. I’ve been in a relationship for a year and a half now, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it's that a relationship should be built on trust. Maybe I’m jinxing myself by saying this, but I trust my boyfriend enough that if he wanted to go to Fort Lauderdale and have his fun, then he should. If I have to physically stop him from cheating by not letting him go, then I shouldn’t be in a relationship with him.
I’m not his mom; it's not my job to stop him from cheating. That’s legitimately the first rule of being with someone – don’t cheat. Why would I stop something he should already know not to do? And the same goes for me. I love having fun with my girlfriends—they have made my college experience exponentially better. Without my four closest friends here, I wouldn’t have survived. Hanging out with them doesn’t mean I’m off cheating.
I can already hear people saying, “But what about respect?” And what about it? Am I being disrespectful because I want to make memories with my friends during a crucial part of my life? Because I want to dance, laugh, and enjoy myself with absolutely no intention of cheating? I know who I am, and I trust that I know who he is. That’s all that matters.
I choose to believe—call me delusional if you want—that my partner isn’t cheating on me no matter where he is . And if he is? That’s on him. I’ll move on, keep living my life, and I’ll still go back to Florida for my break.
Spring break shouldn’t be the end of a relationship. If anything, it should be a test to see if you truly trust your partner or not.
Amy Aracena is the senior opinion editor and can be reached at amy.aracena@ubspectrum.com
Amy Aracena is the senior opinions editor at The Spectrum. She enjoys reading slow-burn romance novels and drinking iced chai lattes whenever she can.
She can be found at @amyaracenaa on Instagram and @aaracena on TikTok.
