Intimate relationships are an essential part of life. At college, students are meeting new friends, surrounded by peers who do not know one another's personal history, but who are all in a common environment and seeking a common goal—preparing for the future. Friendships begin quickly, and are often based on the shared experience of similar schedules, close living quarters, and comparable challenges and accomplishments.
The individuals they are attracted to and the relationships they have with these new friends are part of their physical, mental, and social development. Whether relationships are romantic or not, the ways they relate to others are how they learn about life and how to work with others.
Every parent wants the best for their child and hopes that their student develops caring, safe relationships. At this stage of your student's life, he or she is learning that all close friendships are different and that it is important to create and maintain healthy relationships and boundaries. Signs of a healthy relationship include a mutual respect for one another, support of opinions and decisions, equality, trust, and honesty.