In today’s society more and more college students are deciding to tie the knot while still in school. This is a huge decision that adds many more responsibilities to the already long list. So why do they do it?

Many students find emotional, social and financial advantages to getting married while still in school. Sociologists say that students who get married while still in school want to be more anchored.

They get married because of the quality of the relationship and they take the leap because there is more support in a marriage, especially amidst the culture of the singles’ life. So how do they make it work?

Students’ lives are filled with classes, organizations, friendships, jobs, and many other activities, but married couples make each other their social priority. There is so much going on in their everyday lives that married students complain of not having enough time to spend with each other. Being a married student is hard. I chose to get married on New Year’s Day this year, so I can testify to this comment. Married students have different responsibilities and interests than either single students or married non-students. You have many bills to pay, classes to go to, homework to be done, meals to be cooked, a house to run and a spouse to be attentive toward. There just aren’t enough hours in the day! However, being a married student takes a certain level of maturity, time management skills, and a willingness to compromise.

Marriage definitely takes hard work from both parties, whether both are students, or just one. My husband and I split responsibilities around our home, but both of us are more than willing to help the other out when needed. There is definitely something so grounding about being married. There is a sense of security in uncertain times and a constant source of support. We have to work as a team or nothing would operate smoothly. You simply have to do what needs to be done first, then find any extra time that you can to spend with each other.

Although married college students have many responsibilities that unmarried students do not, marriage during college can succeed under many circumstances. Of course, marriage is not an event to consider half-heartedly, for it involves a great deal of sacrifice, changes, and maturity from both husband and wife.

Married students must find a way to juggle all of their responsibilities, which can be overwhelming, however, many couples who marry during college are quite happy and content with their new lives. I know I am!