Swifties are celebrating, skeptics are rolling their eyes and some Baylor students say they just don’t care. The engagement of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce — the internet’s most-watched couple — has the Baylor community divided.

“Ring by Spring.” While some might say it as a joke when referring to their significant other, it’s a reality for some Baylor students, giving the phrase at least a bit of merit. Some students couldn’t imagine the added pressure of marriage on top of their busy life as college students. However, brides-to-be alumna Stephy Mahoney and Virginia Beach, Va. senior Layne Martin have proven it’s doable.

Here are some fresh and creative ideas that will make your engagement ring truly one-of-a-kind.

Wimberly senior Macey Guynes has gone on many dates with Waco graduate Brandon Rowe during the four years they’ve been together. However, the date that made the couple both realize they were the ones for each another didn’t exactly have a strong start.

“I had the sixth note on top of this big lookout point called Double Peak Park, where I was there with the photographer, and the ring of course,” Small said. “And the sixth note was inside of a Bible that said Amelia Small, which is my last name.”

The program, which targets high-GPA, high standardized test-scoring students, aims to inform invitees of what they can expect from their Baylor faculty and mentors.

“We ask that students converse with other Baylor students who come from different backgrounds, so that everyone can better understand how systemic inequalities and identities come to fruition,” Serrato said.

Before you rush to find ‘the one,’ take a closer look at the reality behind “ring by spring” culture.

The problem isn’t resources. The problem is awareness and utilization of those resources. It is impossible to ignore the fact that, beyond the required video, the university is reaching an unacceptably small portion of the student population.

With everything else on your plate, do you even have the time to sit down, rate your professors and evaluate their performance? It may seem like a tedious task, but I believe it is so much more than just something you should push aside.

Despite the diverse opinions, a 2016 Baylor study found that the culture of “Ring by Spring” attributed to Christian colleges, can often leave students feeling pressured to commit to lifelong relationships prior to graduation.

In 2023, the average couple spends roughly $29,000 on their wedding, $1,000 more than what it was back in 2022. Prices have increased mainly because of inflation and the costs of goods and services rising as well but they mainly depend by state and by the number of guests that are invited to the wedding.