It’s difficult to balance both school and relationships. College has constant deadlines, never-ending assignments and countless other stressful commitments. Relationships, though, are a completely different ballpark.

For me, my free-time is nearly synonymous with self-care.

Self-care is defined as the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health.

I live a stressful life, as do most students my age. I’m thinking about money, and I’m balancing work and school and a social life, and I’m in love.

For me, when my boyfriend comes to see me, we have a few dates that are reasonably priced, fun and most importantly, a form of self-care.

Ramen Mom-and-Pop Shop!

Go to any ramen restaurant.

It can be a mom-and-pop shop on a local strip, or a ramen line, like my personal favorite, Jinya Ramen Bar. For my boyfriend and I, we like to explore new restaurants and discover new flavors together.

Ramen also works as an option for vegan or vegetarians. My boyfriend loves meat, but, as a vegetarian, it’s hard to find a good in-between for both of us. Luckily, ramen provides both good taste and a range of food for dietary needs.

Ramen restaurants also make for picture-perfect moments. Something about seeing my significant other slurp up a never-ending stream of noodles makes me pull out my phone’s camera and snap countless pictures of him, only to post them onto my Instagram account.

Ice Cream Shops!

My boyfriend and I are biiiiig ice-cream people. It’s nearly a problem with how often we find ourselves sitting underneath the fluorescent lights of Braum’s while eating sundaes or chocolate raspberry ganache ice cream.

Instead of the ice cream chain Braum’s, I like to Continue reading “Unique and Local Dates For College Kids”