Embracing New Opportunities: College-Aged Jewish Singles Returning to Campus
As students head back to school, this article focuses on college-aged Jewish singles and the opportunities that come with returning to campus. College offers a unique chance to:
Expand your social circle
Connect with other Jewish students
Explore new relationships
A new academic year can also provide a fresh start, whether you are arriving on campus for the first time or returning for another year.
The Fresh Start Experience
Getting back to school can be a novel experience. Whether you are moving to a whole new school or just moving up a grade, returning to school gives everyone the chance to start fresh. It allows for personal development or complete reinvention as people reconnect with old friends or meet new ones. Leaving old power dynamics behind can refresh how you see yourself in the world and offer a chance to be a whole other person.
Learning Relationship Lessons
Like academic lessons, returning students can also learn about relationships. Past dating experiences can teach us about:
What works in a relationship
What doesn’t work
What boundaries need to be set and enforced
A summer break provides a chance to reflect on past relationships and understand what you want in a future relationship.
Setting Relationship Goals
Alongside academic goals, think about what you want to achieve in a relationship. Consider whether you are looking for:
A long-term relationship
A situationship
A casual hookup
Returning to school, especially when living in a dorm or apartment, puts you around many people with similar backgrounds and goals. You can share priorities, such as:
Desired timelines
How quickly a relationship can grow
Meeting Potential Partners
So, how does returning to school help you meet potential partners? Many schools offer mixer programs before classes officially start. These programs help students:
Get to know the campus
Build connections
Succeed in their classes
Other ways to meet new people include:
University-hosted social programs
Regular group projects in class
These opportunities encourage students to connect outside of class and develop deeper social ties.
Connecting Through Campus Organizations
For Jewish students, campus organizations provide another great chance to meet and connect with others outside of class while strengthening ties to Jewish life. Across the region, organizations such as:
Greater Portland Hillel
Oregon Hillel
Chabad of Eugene
Hillel UW
Chabad at UW
Berkeley Hillel
UC Berkeley Jewish Student Union
Hillel at Stanford
San Francisco Hillel
Hillel of Silicon Valley
These organizations offer Jewish students spaces to socialize, participate in events, and build community. A shared Jewish background, combined with attending the same school or living in the same area, can provide a strong starting point for deeper social and potentially romantic connections.
Conclusion
Returning to school can be an exciting time for anyone. Whether you're starting a new school or just a new grade, students can begin fresh and expand their social outlook. Through classes and mixer programs, students can build relationships and meet new people who could become potential romantic partners.