Karalee Manis, Managing Editor

A traditional college student is, in my experience and opinion, generally not mature or smart enough to make such a lifelong commitment or decision.

I’m not saying college students are stupid; a lot of them work really hard and get good grades and are smart, well-rounded individuals.

But they lack life experience. And real world experience. And they are, at most, 22!

Marriage should not be taken lightly. I’d like to think it’s something you do once after much consideration when you’re a real adult with some actual life experience beyond a college campus.

Is this realistic? No. But neither is getting married at 20, having no clue what you are going to do or how you are going to support yourself – basically being a clueless college student.

If you honestly think you are responsible, mature and adult enough to take the plunge, then by all means, do so, but honestly, why rush it? Why are you in such a hurry to tie yourself to another person for, presumably, the rest of your life?

You’ve got a lot going on: classes and work and studying and, hopefully, enjoying your college years. Why would you want to add more stress to that with planning and having a wedding?

While I consider myself to be a pretty decent level of adult, I know there is no way I am ready to get married at this stage of my life. I am far too busy with school and focused on getting ready to graduate to even consider another person like I’d like to think I would if I were so entangled.

But for those of you who think you’ve got the relationship game on lock and are ready for that next step despite still being a student, I caution you in your choice.

How are you going to pay for a wedding? And where are you going to live, in your separate dorms? Or are you going to find an apartment of your own? With what money? Have you even lived with that person, the two of you, alone, yet?

Take the time to seriously think it over. Give it a year, post-college, living in the real world.

As for me, I think I’ll just stay blissfully unattached for the next long while.