With October winding down and November soon to be upon us, it’s safe to say that the semester is flying by. We’re over halfway done, which might be either a source of relief to you or a harsh reality check. Either way, here’s some advice to keep in mind for the coming weeks.

It’s the beginning of a potential blossoming relationship, and all you feel are butterflies. This could be it. This could be the one. He seems perfect on paper, and the chemistry is undeniable … but you two greatly differ when it comes to your interests, hobbies, future goals and, most importantly, individual value systems. It’s so common to force compatibility despite those contrasting elements and to pursue a relationship anyway, but don’t sacrifice key pieces of yourself just to be perceived as a suitable partner.

School is important, and we should perform to the best of our ability, but we were never supposed to choose it over our mental health, physical health or relational health. So, put the textbook down and go outside. Have a long dinner with your friends. Watch a movie. Remind yourself that school is not all there is to life. It’ll work wonders.

Maybe you enjoy something obscure, or perhaps your taste is very mainstream, but I think it’s safe to say that everyone has experienced judgment for their interests. You might think some tastes are so egregious they deserve to be judged (I’m talking to the canned tuna lovers here), but judging others for things that make them happy doesn’t promote healthy relationships among friends.

Between B-list ex-boyfriends and a billion-dollar stadium tour, Taylor Swift has been the central focus of many minds lately — but not for either of those reasons. On Sunday, Swift watched Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce play against the Chicago Bears from his suite.

Intentionality in friendships can be hard, especially when we have a million things to do and places to be. Finding the time to hang out with someone or even reach out in the first place might sound easy to some but stressful to others. We often wait for someone else to make the first move. But why wait to initiate?

One of my favorite classic rom-coms is “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” but even with its witty, humorous take on dating, it presents an interesting phenomenon: Women are extremely aware of what it takes to keep (or lose) a man. But is that same knowledge really projected to men as well? In my dating experience, the overwhelming answer is no. So, why not flip the script? Here’s how to lose a girl in 10 days.

Maybe you’ve witnessed your roommate call their sister for the third time in one day. Perhaps you overheard a classmate talking about the care package they just received from their mom. It’s hard not to compare those kinds of interactions to our own family dynamics. Be mindful that families function differently — and that’s OK.

We have to stop letting our ways of relationship-building be defined by a single word. No matter which side of the pendulum you tend to sway, you have unique gifts that allow you to love others in a way only you can, and that’s more valuable than any other static personality classification you could be assigned.

By the time you get to college, you’ve already heard all the typical advice like ‘don’t bring your whole wardrobe’ or ‘don’t skip class.’ But as the years go on, there are plenty of lessons you learn along the way. Here’s what members of the Editorial Board wish we had known about college.

The Baylor chapter of the Alexander Hamilton Society was awarded National Chapter of the Year last year, surpassing many well-renowned schools largely due to its intention to build relationships.

This is the one time in our lives when it’s OK — and, in fact, expected — to be selfish. No one is dependent on us. We’re just here, trying to figure out what career we want to pursue for the next several decades while simultaneously learning how to sort laundry, pay rent and cook anything other than bagels or ramen. It’s about growth. It’s about self-discovery. It’s about independence.

With the goal of raising awareness against domestic violence and promoting healthy relationships, Alpha Chi Omega is currently hosting Healthy Relationships Week.

I think looking back on your calendar or planner to see the things you spend the most time on reveals a lot about where your priorities are. They might surprise you.

Baylor’s Counseling Center offers different services and tools students can use to talk about the problems they are experiencing to a professional, some counselors specialize in relationships.

Instead of putting all your eggs in one basket and hoping to meet the love of your life in college, start focusing on finding your bridesmaids and groomsmen first — people that you know will love, care for and support you every day, not just on date night.

As a woman who has been trying to build her career as a journalist, I want my career and published work to follow my name from when I started. I started as Caitlyn Meisner, and I want to finish under that name. My name will follow me everywhere, and I don’t want to confuse future employers with a name change.

When all we do is see our fellow citizens as their political identities — or hopelessly attempt to categorize them when we are unsure — we are doing a disservice to ourselves and those around us. Human connection breaks down when all we want to do is hate “the other side.” Most of the time, we really don’t even know who the “other side” actually is.

Say what you want about the drift away from casual dating, but my grandmother and grandfather have been married for over 50 years, so there might be something to it. Next time a guy cancels on a date because he feels under the weather, just pick the next number on your contact list and enjoy a “perfectly good Friday night.”

I understand you’re probably tired at 8 a.m. and would rather scroll on Instagram than talk to the person next to you, but the effort is so worth it.

When people talk about others, it influences your perception and bias about the subject of gossip. Gossip destroys reputations and gives subjects of gossip a disadvantage before people know them.

Interpersonal relationships should be invested in just as much as jobs, if not more. Having your people to share those professional wins makes the payoff that much better.

Dating in order to change the other person’s beliefs is not a good reason to date them.

You get to decide every day how you develop love in your relationship. Love can be experienced in a number of ways, but your actions determine if the love lives or dies.

Learn to get through your day without apologizing after every little inconvenient thing you might do to someone else. Getting rid of this habit can not only relieve you of guilt but also potentially help you build stronger relationships with others.

It’s no secret that no two people are the same. So why do we assume it is safe to treat others how we want to be treated? Instead, treat others how they want to be treated, also known as the platinum rule.

You shouldn’t have to settle for something you don’t want. Raise your standards and search for more mature relationships.

Let relationships come naturally. Prioritize improving yourself and your time commitments. Do not overburden yourself with what could be, but instead work on what is. Save yourself some time, energy and money, and take a step back to set your priorities in order. Don’t think every woman you flirt with is “the one.”

As students, we often forget that we are in school for a multitude of reasons, and finding a partner to spend the rest of our lives with doesn’t have to be one of them.

Want to know when you will put a ring on it? There’s an app for that.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the good folks over at Time Magazine have released an app that will tell you amount the of time you have remaining to tie the knot.