The Willistonian has created a guide for high school relationships, so you never have to approach the super thin, almost imaginary, line between cute and cringe.

Many Williston students say it’s annoying when couples hang out too much or display their relationship by walking to Dunkin’ together. So we’re here to identify the best and worst received experiences for your future dating endeavors.

Dating at a private high school is an extremely different social dynamic than in a public school. With Covid restricting dorm access, couples have to hang out in public spaces.

Edward Bergham, a senior boarding student who has been in a stable relationship with a day student since freshman year, advises students to get to know their partner’s parents.

“If you’re having a boarder and day student Williston relationship, getting to know the parents is really great so you can fill out Reach request forms for their house,” Edward said. “That’s perfect because it gets you off campus, potentially into Northampton, and it’s a really great time, but its also really scary so it’s a risky play.”

While befriending your partner’s parents might not be for you, the alternative is meeting up in public spaces. While the Reed bridge might seem like a great spot, we’re here to assure you: it isn’t. Don’t go there. Not only is the bridge an open space and surrounded by doors, but it’s elevated, so all eyes are on you. Additionally, because of the acoustics in Reed, sound travels far, so everyone can hear you.

Another rule to live by: no snuggling up under blankets or jackets in public or crowded spaces! Cuddling up with that special someone might be something you want to do, but no one wants to see you spooning on the Reed couches. Blankets only worsen the situation: everyone is wondering what’s happening underneath. Hopefully you’re just keeping warm, but the uncertainty is uncomfortable. Please stop.

Ella Mattocks, a six-year-senior boarding student, recounts one of the cringiest couple displays she’s seen on the Williston campus.

“There was a time my sophomore year,” she said. “It was four or five minutes before check in and there were nine couples standing outside Mem, hugging each other, just because they were going to have to say goodbye for the night.”

PDA (public displays of affection) are not necessary on campus. Every student interviewed by The Willistonian, when asked for a memorable experience involving a couple at Williston, depicted an “annoying” and “unnecessary” display of romance.

Junior day student Jack Coscia believes the most irritable aspect of students in relationships is the overuse of social media publicizing those very relationships.

“When people are so open about [their relationships] or post about it all the time or make it blatantly obvious, it’s annoying,” he said. “You’re doing it for the wrong reasons when you let everyone in the world know what you’re doing. Some things are meant to be quiet.”

Many students reiterated Jack’s viewpoint. Praghya Raja, a senior boarder, thinks  students should keep their relationships under wraps.

“Williston is such a small school that everyone is so obsessed with knowing what’s going on in each other’s lives, so rumors spread like wildfire,” she said.

A close second to over-posting and is the annoyance (for everyone else) of students who have classes with their partners. Group projects are already awkward, let’s keep the flirting with your significant other out of the equation.

A male senior boarder who wished to remain anonymous took things a step further. He pushed for no relationships at all.

“Honestly, I think they’re pointless because you’re going end up leaving them anyways, because most people aren’t from here,” he said. “Also, 99% of the relationships are going to end before you graduate, so why put yourself through that for a hard goodbye.”