(December 16, 2005) — All high school relationships are bound to end. Fallacy: hasty generalization. It’s a stereotype many still seem to have. When there is a new couple on campus, millions of criticizing eyes are on them. I, unfortunately, was a victim of this criticism as well. When my boyfriend and I walk together in school or show a bit of affection from time to time, I can anticipate eyes looking and mouths speaking. True, there are few that know us well enough to praise us rather than disapprove of us. Still there are those who judge us just because we are going out. From time to time, my friends and I discuss high school relationships, and they all lead to one thing: break-ups. Few of my friends force themselves to refuse a relationship now, mainly because they believe in so-called “inevitable break-ups.” They think relationships cannot be everlasting. I won’t say that most couples end up together. It is true that out of ten couples, I estimate seven will end up apart. But high school relationships are not all about how long they last. They are part of maturing and growing for teens. As some might know, people start feeling and thinking differently in a relationship. These thoughts and feelings are often new to the person and difficult to understand. This is part of self-discovery and self-understanding. Through relationships, many develop their own sense of identity and go through a stage of self-realization. A relationship can only be successful when both people make an effort to fix the flaws. Arguments are a way to recognize each others’ faults and to honestly tell each other about them. This helps each person to see their “bad” side of their personality because, of course, every one of us wants to notice, show and glorify only our good characteristics. A relationship helps a person see themselves as a whole—having both positive and negative aspects. Knowing strengths and weaknesses will help many adapt easier to a changing society and new environments with new sorts of people because they can then respond to different situations accordingly and appropriately. Even more, after acknowledging their not-so-great characteristics, people can fix old and bad habits to become a better person. Grades, time and most of all, break-ups should not prevent anyone from being in a high school relationship. Grades will not fall, there will be enough time and relationships will not end if people are willing to put in an effort. Take it from a personal account. Having a person to completely open up to and lean on when hard times hit is honestly the most assuring feeling one could get. A sense of hope forms in you, and it seems like you can go through your hardships in one whole piece. But, ultimately, it is you who makes the call. When it comes to a relationship, as cliché as it may sound, don’t listen to others’ typical talks but to yourself.