On one fateful night during a karaoke sesh at a ski lodge, a girl is pushed onto the stage by someone in the crowd and a microphone is shoved forcefully into her hand. The same action appears to occur to a young boy across from her. On the stage, the music begins and the crowd starts to repeatedly chant, “Sing!”

Both individuals, who are shy at first, are unable to meet each other’s gaze. However, Gabriella takes the risk and lifts her eyes to train onto the handsome boy. As their eyes meet, instant attraction takes place and with it, love begins to blossom.

Moments like this are only seen in movies or on TV. Not all relationships can take after scenes from High School Musical. The media today has dictated so much of our world, and this includes relationships. Whether portraying unrequited love, forbidden love, or passionate love, the media’s ideas of love all have one thing in common: drama.

Due to this, students have the tendies to believe that their relationships are mature and/or real because they are similar to the ones that are portrayed in films.

Adolescence is steeped in awkwardness and hormones. During this time of confusion, many students begin to form relationships with others. However, the real question is: are they real relationships?

The truth is that most high school relationships are not “real” relationships. Yes, there are exceptions, like highschool sweethearts. However, most commonly, this appears to be a true statement. Relationships that begin in high school usually ranges from a mere few days to a rare few years at most. A majority of the time throughout the relationship, it is simply consumed with gossip or on again and off again periods.

Is a two-day relationship even a relationship then? No. The attraction and the feelings may seem real, but the nature of the relationship is not. A real relationship is not simply stating to one another “I like you” or holding hands in between classes. It is not Facetiming every night or texting each other constantly.

A real relationship is a mutual form of respect and honesty, it is being able to be happy and work together “in the boring.” It is being able to fight and make up without consulting friends about their opinion. Real relationships consists of two people, not two people and their groups of friends.

However, because the minds of adolescents are not fully developed, they are unable to do so. Therefore, not capable of knowing what is or isn’t love. According to TIME Magazine, the human brain does not completely develop until the age of 25. This is the reason for our ever changing personality, interests, likes and dislikes. This also includes our opinions on relationships and romantic feelings towards others.

Instead of skimming the pages of Cosmopolitan, trying to find tips on how to kiss, you should be instead studying for your SATS, ACTS, and so forth — filling out college or job applications.