Should I Date Someone in High School?

High school dating looks different for everyone. For some, it is fun and lighthearted. For others, it is intense and emotional. Either way, it teaches you things; about connection, communication, and yourself. But it can also bring up stress you did not expect.

Dating during high school can be part of growing up, but it should never feel like a job. It is supposed to add to your life, not take it over.

When It Feels Right

The best relationships make you feel more like yourself, not less. You should feel safe to talk about what is on your mind, even when it is awkward. You should feel heard, respected, and supported, not like you have to constantly perform.

Healthy relationships are not perfect, but they have balance. You both care about each other, but you still have space to focus on school, friends, and your own interests.

(If you start skipping sleep, meals, or homework because of a relationship, that’s not love. That's a sign something needs to change.)

When It Feels Complicated

It is normal for relationships to hit bumps, but constant tension or jealousy is not something you should accept as normal.

If you feel pressured, ignored, or controlled, step back and ask yourself what you are getting out of this connection. Love should not make you anxious all the time.

Talk to someone outside the relationship (a friend, mentor, or counselor) if things feel off. Sometimes a little perspective helps you see things more clearly.

When It Ends

Breakups are brutal, even when you know it is the right thing. You might miss the person, the routine, or just having someone there. Give yourself time to grieve, even if people say it was “just high school.”

There is no right way to move on, but a few things help:

• Do not rush to replace the relationship. Let yourself reset.

• Stay close to friends who remind you who you are.

• Avoid checking their socials if it makes you spiral.

It takes time, but eventually, the heavy feeling fades.

High school dating can be a crash course in communication, trust, and boundaries. You will learn what feels right and what doesn’t. None of it is wasted. You are allowed to want love, but you are also allowed to walk away when something is no longer healthy. The best relationships are the ones that teach you how to choose yourself too.