Amidst Hillsdating (a result of cowardice) and ring-before-springs (a quick solution to baby fever) some single students of Hillsdale College look to their peers for dating advice.

The Citizens of Self-Governance hosted a student panel on Tuesday night, Nov. 4 to give advice to the single and taken men and women of campus, from the perspective of Christian conservatives. 

The panel featured senior Erika Mogelvang (taken), junior K.C. Gaudet (engaged), sophomore Alethia Diener (taken), and freshman Blake Schaper (single).

The event had a large showing of students curious to hear what their peers had to say about dating in the conservative movement.

The main point agreed upon was that two people should share the same biblical values if they are going to thrive in a relationship together, and their end goal should be marriage. 

“Religion sparks social conservatism,” Mogelvang said. “You have to ask yourself what the most important thing in your relationship is. Do they value marriage? Do they treat you like Christ treats the church?” 

Outside of a romantic relationship, someone’s greatest love should be God, according to Diener.

“Whether or not my relationship works out, I am loved by God, and that takes a lot of pressure off,” Diener said. 

Knowing your value in the image of Christ will help you follow through with the standards you have set for yourself, according to Diener and Mogelvang. 

“Set your standards to align with God’s will,” Mogelvang said. “If you set those standards, you can immediately tell from the person you go on a date with whether or not they’re for you. And if they align with those standards, then get to know them.” 

While core values should be shared, the panelists agreed it is important to be comfortable and confident in disagreeing with your significant other. 

“You want someone who challenges you and makes you a better person,” Gaudet said. “So be open to disagreements.” 

Diener said it is important to be open to anything God has for you, even someone you would not immediately be attracted to at face value. 

“Date someone you wouldn’t expect to be asked out by,” Diener said. 

The majority of the panelists agreed Hillsdating is cowardly and often stops the potential of great relationships. 

“To find your person, yet prolong that situationship, is not good for you if you want to have a long lasting, successful relationship in the future,” Mogelvang said. 

The biggest issue in dating is miscommunication, according to the panelists. Schaper said the confusion between casual and serious dating is one of these miscommunications.

“The person you’re dating could misinterpret your casual dating as actually wanting a long-term relationship,” Schaper said. “When you prioritize your fun, you are quicker to get out of a relationship when the first issue hits.” 

Schaper said relationships shouldn’t end with the first problem.

“It’s not just about your selfish interest and desire. It’s about doing what is best for the other person,” Schaper said.

Sophomore Ross Phelps, a member of the audience, said the panelists gave reasonable advice especially in regard to having the same values as your significant other.

“The general idea of making sure you’re aligned with someone before you start dating them, and before you have a bias towards making things work, was a good point,” Phelps said.