In high school I was a boyfriend kind of girl. I was never single for long, but instead jumped from guy to guy. I went through every relationship possible. I was in love, I was out of love, I was in lust, I was in good relationships and in not so good relationships. I dated guys that treated me like I was everything, and guys that treated me like I was nothing.

Regardless, I was never really single. So when I came to college, I wanted things to be different. I didn’t want to be tied down in a relationship or be known as some guy’s girlfriend. Instead, I wanted to be independent and on my own (and I also wanted to have a lot of fun). And in the four years that I’ve been at college, I’ve been able to be and do all of those things.

Unlike a lot of people, I have never seriously dated anyone or had a boyfriend in college.

Some may find this confusing, weird, or depressing. To me, I just find it amazing. There are so many pros to going through college sans boyfriend. Mostly, I’ve had the best time getting to know myself. I’ve figured out who I am, without any relation to some guy. When I was high school, I often determined my worth by if I was in a relationship or not. But in college I’ve grown and developed without being a girlfriend. I’ve lived up to my expectations and no one else’s.

Okay, so maybe if I had a boyfriend I would have had a steadier stream of consistent sex during college, but that hasn’t stopped me from getting my kicks. I’ve been able to meet lots of guys and have great guy friends, a feat that doesn’t always happen when you have a boyfriend over your shoulder.

And obviously there have been nights when I’ve been lonely and really just wanted someone to spoon and watch a romantic comedy with, but overall I’ve been incredibly happy.

I haven’t felt any less loved. Instead, being single has allowed me to make the most amazing friends in the world and create deep, solid friendships that may not have been possible if I was preoccupied with a BF. I’ve never had to split my time between boyfriend and friends, which many of you know is a huge deal when you’re in a relationship.

I truly feel lucky to have been boyfriend-free over these past four years. And now, unlike many couples weeks before graduation, I’m not making my after school plans based on someone else. I will move to the city I want because I want to, not because I need to be close to my college sweetheart. I don’t have to compromise anything and I’m thankful for that.

College is almost over and I’ve been single (and lovin’ it). And although I may be graduating single, I am certainly not graduating alone. And now, as I get closer to graduation day and the next phase of my life, I think I’m finally ready to be a girlfriend again…but not until I’ve settled down in my next city of choice of course.

Single. Free. Blissfully happy.

[Alright ladies, let's give a big CollegeCandy welcome (Read: raise those shot glasses!) to our new single lady! Her name is Emmy and she's a single gal living it up in Chi-town. She's hot, smart...and nowhere near ready to put a ring on it.]

Back in August, my mother and I were standing in Target debating exactly which organizational bins I would need for college when she turned to me and said, “Emmy, please don’t date anyone seriously at the beginning of college. I really don’t want you to get tied down too early.”

Alright, so this was a random topic of discussion for the Home Organization aisle of Target, but I still found myself taking my mom’s opinion seriously. After all, the woman knew her stuff when it came to under-bed storage, so surely she was a wise sage in all things relationship. The truth is, staying single for the beginning of college had been my plan anyway. I dated the same boy for the last three years of high school and being single is a relatively new experience for me. One that I am figuring out and not yet ready to give up. The breakup process was beyond painful, but now I am learning to really enjoy being a single girl.

Yes, sometimes I miss having that male shoulder perpetually there to cry on, and a standing date if there is nothing better to do on a Friday night. For the most part though, I just feel free. I am not always glued to my phone texting or talking to him. I have no one else’s opinion or schedule to take into account. I am not someone’s girlfriend, but rather a person in my own right. I don’t feel guilty when other guys ask me out. I can genuinely enjoy getting to know all the new people, boys included, that I am meeting with no qualms. Plus, it’s a lot more fun to go to parties when you are free to flirt and dance all you want. Then leave and share a large pizza with your girls.

I finally gained back the control over my own life that I didn’t even realize I’d given up. I just finished mapping out my four-year plan for college. It was so exciting, and I realized that at this point in my life, my academic ambitions are trumping my need to find a boy worth dating.  Silly as it might sound, I was reminded that I am an individual, with goals of my own.

At this point, I am not in any rush to be in a relationship. This is my time to focus on me. It might sound selfish, but I am excited! When else am I going to have the opportunity to study in a different country for a year and not feel guilty for leaving everyone behind? I know that the experiences I have on my own will help me define myself more clearly and make whatever relationships I do have in the future that much healthier.

I am having a great time in college thus far; I have a great group of friends and a perpetually full calendar. It seems like I am always meeting new boys and not immediately looking at them as potential dates makes getting to know them as actual people easier.

So for maybe the first time in my life, I am actually following my mom’s advice. I understand the importance of taking time to be single for awhile and the benefits it will have for me in the long run.

Just don’t let my mom know that I was actually listening!

My immediate instinct when faced with this question would point me towards the bars. And for that exact reason, I have met practically every single boyfriend I’ve had in my college and post years at a bar or party, and while drinking. (Please note: while it has been said time and time again, “you don’t meet nice guys in bars,” I’m here to tell you, you don’t meet nice guys in bars.)

That being said, if history has taught me anything it’s that I need to find a new locale if I want to find a new, interesting, smart attractive gent to call my own. But, I have no idea where to look..

So I asked a handful of friends and acquaintances I got a few answers:

Work (and/or class) - I’m the first to openly admit, I have a slight case of Boy-Crazy. This condition can really hinder my accomplishing anything productive when I’ve got boys on the brain. Thus mixing my professional life with my personal life could really be a fatal combination.

Through friends – If my friends had a perfect hottie stashed away, I would have found him by now. Trust me, I’ve looked. Hard.

The gym – When I go to the gym it is not on a man-hunting mission – I am there to work out. I get sweaty, and look like I’m working out (Read: hideous ratty tees and one coat of mascara instead of my usual 3-4, gross hair, etc.) This look is not exactly what I have in mind when trying to meet a guy.

The internet – While I won’t knock the internet ‘till I’ve tried it, I’d prefer to wait until the age of 30 before delving into that route. Lets just call Match.com by back up plan.

So, I’m out of ideas. Can anyone please tell an untapped resource of respectable guys is?