We all want to have a healthy love life, but going to school or working full-time can make that difficult.
It can be especially difficult if you’re a nursing student.
Below are some tips to help you preserve your relationships and friendships and find some balance in your love life.
Dating and Relationship Tips in Nursing School
1. Set Priorities
Nursing school can be incredibly stressful, but it’s worth it if you’re planning for a long career in nursing.
Whether you decide to complete a 2-year or 4-year program to obtain your Bachelor of Science in Nursing, chances are you will be busy with assignments, tests, study groups, and clinicals during nursing school.
In fact, a full-time nursing program takes over 40 hours per week to complete.
Because of the long hours, if you’re trying to balance school, work, and love life, it’s best to start with some simple priority-setting exercises.
Although your partner, family, and friends might be important to you, you have to decide whether or not they are truly a priority in your day-to-day life.
Ask yourself what you must complete and how you will finish those tasks. Nursing school should be at the high-end of your priority list, but only you can decide whether or not it’s your top priority.
2. Set Boundaries
If you decide you want to continue dating your partner while you’re in nursing school, or you’re beginning a new relationship or even living with your partner, these all require that you set certain boundaries beforehand.
For instance, ask your partner ahead of time to give you some space and refrain from texting or distracting you during school and study hours.
It’s best to be firm about your boundaries with your partner.
If you feel you’ve set boundaries, but your partner continues to make you feel stressed or suffocated, have clear consequences put in place.
This will allow your partner to not only take you seriously but also prevent their behavior from escalating further and causing you to feel suffocated.
3. Have Open Communication
Communication is one of the most important aspects of any relationship.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find the time or the patience to communicate with your partner if you’re so busy during nursing school.
The most important factor in effective communication is being concise and clear.
Be clear about what you need from your partner, whether it’s space to study or even a shoulder to cry on.
Equally as important is to listen to your partner and work on any issues they might be facing, such as loneliness, while you’re in nursing school.
Be clear about what you need from your partner, whether it’s space to study, or a shoulder to cry on.
Thomas Uzuegbunem, BSN, RN “Dating & Relationships in Nursing School”
4. Plan Date Nights
If you can spare at least 2 or 3 hours in your week, use this time to set a date night with your partner.
Date nights keep your relationship interesting, fun, and adventurous! They can also be a great way for you to unwind and catch up with your partner.
Some date night ideas that you can use during nursing school include taking a hike or long walk together, seeing a movie at each other’s house (or just spending some quality time on the couch), even a simple coffee or dinner date.
These date ideas are stress-free and can help you feel closer to your partner during nursing school.
5. Combine Studying and Quality Time
When you’re in a crunch yet still want to spend time with your partner, one of the best ways to combine both is a study date!
Study dates are such a good idea even colleges encourage them between students.
Study dates are also a great way to interact with a love interest in nursing school, or they can be an excellent way to make your partner feel included and spend quality time with them.
This is also a great way to spend time with family and friends.
Make sure to truly study during your study date, either at home or at a local cafe.
Choose an area to study that has plenty of space, is well-lit, and where you can listen to your partner.
6. Have an Outlet for Stress Relief
It’s important to practice self-care and have outlets to relieve stress.
Stress can, in fact, ruin relationships by bouncing off of partners, heightening your sensitivity levels, and making you more vulnerable to anger.
The best way to deal with stress in nursing school is to manage it through breathing techniques, exercise, hobbies, meditation, or anything else that allows you to relax.
Lowering stress levels isn’t just important for your relationship with family and friends but also your overall health.
Related: 7 Ways to Stay Healthy in Nursing School
7. Practice Time Management
Time management is a bit different than prioritizing.
Time management involves scheduling blocks of time and jotting it down, either in a journal or elsewhere, that you can later use to help you plan your day.
Use time blocking to schedule dates, family time, study time, even time for self-care.
Time blocking is one of the best ways to ensure you’re doing your best to balance your love and social life, as well as study time.
Make sure you truly set aside your time and revise your schedule every day.
Don’t schedule a block of time for dating and use it to study, and vice versa, as this is ineffective and can cause you more stress in the long run.
Balancing School and Love is Possible
Going through nursing school is a sacrifice, but it will be worth it in the end when you have an amazing career in nursing!
If you want to balance your relationship and social life, follow our tips above and see how they help!
What are your favorite ways to balance love and school? Comment your tips below!
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