Dating in high school can seem fun and exciting, but most of the time it leads to heartbreak. 

Less than 2% of all marriages are to a high school sweetheart. That means it’s more than likely that the person you’re dating won’t be the one you live the rest of your life with. 

Getting your heart broken while you’re still young can affect you in many different ways. It can affect you badly, like making you feel like you’re not important. 

“I think it really just made me feel less highly of myself and insecure. I was left feeling like I was unwanted,” sophomore Alillya Thomas said.

While heartbreaks can hurt you, they can also teach you a valuable lesson.

“I’ve gone through two heartbreaks,” senior Ethan Moody said. “Those two breakups taught me two different things, you truly don’t know what you have until it’s gone and never look for your worth in someone else.” 

Relationships can lead you astray and keep you distracted from doing things you love. 

“I don’t think I would date again in high school. It seems like a waste of time for me, “ junior Analicia Lopez said. “Relationships can be distracting for sports and school which isn’t good.”

Missing someone you’ve dated in the past is a normal thing, but it takes a lot of self-reflection to get over it. 

“I’ve gone through multiple heartbreaks but from the same person,” sophomore Kylie Carroll said. “I got over my heartbreak by coming to a realization that it won’t be the same anymore and that there are better things.”

Most high school students are going to want to try dating to see how it is, but it is recommended that you set your expectations high. 

“I just set my standards really high and I don’t find the need to have a long relationship in high school if you’re both going to go to college anyways,” senior Trinity Smith said. 

Though most heartbreaks come from dating, there are some that can come from friendships. 

Only 5% of high school friendships stay together through adulthood. Even though it’s not a big percentage, you can still keep in touch with them by giving life updates.

“There are also other relationships in my life that aren’t with boys, but with best friends and close family members. I think that these heartbreaks are very unrecognized,” Thomas said. “I’ve been hurt more by a friendship ending than I ever have by a boy.”