Being able to communicate in an effective and healthy manner with a romantic partner is pertinent to having a strong and mutually beneficial relationship. The following columns examine communication within romantic relationships. 

Column: Is the friend zone that bad

Columnist Megan Petzold examines what it’s like to be in the friend zone.

Being friends with someone you may have feelings for helps you deal with and overcome rejection. This means it may be easier to deal with when the rejection is more serious and real, such as a job interview. Also, being shot down every once in a while helps people understand they aren’t as big of a deal as they thought they were, which can be a good thing, in my opinion.

Column: So we got baggage

Jazzmine Brooks, student services specialist in the student wellness department, explores how effective communication in a relationship matters. 

My grandmother used to say, “Baby, people got baggage. You don’t know what luggage they carrying.” As I think about what to write that would hopefully get you thinking, I ask you to consider – what is that baggage? It starts with self-reflection and determining what type of relationships(s) you are looking to build.

Column: Accessing people via texting

Columnist Megan Petzold examines how texting affects communication in relationships. 

Studies have shown constantly texting can make people shallow and self-obsessed. It isn’t ludicrous to understand why this happens, since social media is making posting so easy. And being able to talk to people all day, every day makes people feel more social and accepted than they feel they are in real life.