College has long been described as a four-year vacation from real life. Similar to trying on a great pair of shoes, college is about trying on different lifestyles and figuring out which one works. Along with this, college is also a time to experiment with different relationships. Many people believe that when they get to college they will find their one true love; however, one may wonder if those who have been single for a long period of time view college relationships differently than those in relationships or those who are newly single. Therefore, research has been done to prove whether or not heterosexual women in college between the ages of 19-21 who have been single for over a year, have more negative outlooks on life. Out of five women who have never met and attend different colleges and universities, they have one major thing in common: they have been single for over a year. The research that has been conducted shows that a percentage of similar women in college display some of the key characteristics of depression and loneliness. Coincidently, many of these girls share similar views, opinions, and interests, which may or may not be contributed to their singlehood.

            Several similarities arose from compiling various tweets from each girls Twitter accounts. Their tweets establish their interests, opinions, and hobbies, as well as their main priorities. The first thing that was noticed was how the feeling of exhaustion was a key theme seen in an abundance of each girl’s tweets. Similarly, taking naps and going to sleep were main priorities across the board, signifying different things depending on their course load and outside activities. For some of the girls, this need for sleep is a result of having too much going on during the course of a week and therefore feeling overwhelmed, while others may be demonstrating signs of loneliness and the need to escape reality by taking naps throughout the day. In the book Psychology of Women, author Margaret Matlin says, “When women are asked about the disadvantages of being single, they frequently mention loneliness” (285). Whether these women are experiencing loneliness or are just tired one must look deeper into how they cope with everyday struggles and events.

            Beyond napping, their course load, jobs, sports, and other activities play a large role in their lives; however, they each demonstrate a lack of motivation to do schoolwork, or the drive to achieve and live up to their fullest potentials. Many of them have negative tweets that refer to themselves and their own lack of commitment to schoolwork, relationships, and jobs. For example, one girl has tweeted, “The amount of work I still have to do is actually disgusting.” Many of the other girls have also had similar tweets, and view their homework as a burden. Along with this commonality, most of the girls also demonstrate the characteristics of those who have low self-esteem and verge on depressive tendencies. In addition, Matlin says, “Single women score lower on tests of self-acceptance” (284). Their tweets demonstrate that they have negative attitudes towards themselves. This could be a result of how they view themselves, or the way they believe others view them. For example, one tweet says, “I still don’t understand why people look at me and think that I look like a bitch.” This type of negativity is only enhanced by ones lack of friendships and boyfriends that reiterate why other people love them for whom they are. Each girl lives their lives day-by-day instead of thinking long term about their futures.

            A majority of the girls view their lives one day at a time, and as college students this is to be expected; however, rarely do any mention a bright future ahead of them, but instead dwell on the struggles they face throughout the day. An abundance of the negative tweets generated from each girl pertain to everyday struggles such as waiting in line, scoring low on a test, waking up late for class, etc. One of the biggest similarities between these tweets has to do with the weather. Each girl had significantly better attitudes when the weather was nice out, and for a majority of them, these were some of their only positive tweets. On the other hand, when the weather was cold or overcast the girls demonstrated the complete opposite. In addition, their negative attitudes about everyday struggles carried into their opinions about other people, as many of them complained about the annoying tendencies of those around them.

            Each girl posted negative tweets at one point or another about someone that was around her that upset or agitated her. Whether it was a roommate, a close friend, or a stranger, the girl’s tweets demonstrated that they are just as judgmental towards others as they are towards themselves. For example, one girl has tweeted, “My roommates have had takeout or fast food for every meal since Friday. How are they not dead yet?” In contrast, research has indicated that the girls who have stronger support systems and mention more people on Twitter, as well as interact with more people, have less negative tweets than the others. For example, one girl tweets, “Be a best friend, tell the truth and overuse I love you.” It can easily be seen by looking at the differences in these two tweets that the girls who are more comfortable with being single feel this way because of the friends they have. It seems that the girls who interact with more friends, and make more references about their families, are more well-rounded, and less likely to post about the people around them. They demonstrate more positivity, but remain negative about day-to-day struggles.

            A number of tweets demonstrate that although each girl seems to be content with the way their lives are going they are not fully satisfied. Each girl differs in personality traits. This was established after analyzing their tweets; however, research suggests that many people clump single women together in one unified category with similar personalities. Matlin says, “College students tend to describe single people as lonely, shy, unhappy, insecure and inflexible” (284). If this data remains true, these girls are already stereotyped, which may lead to their negative outlooks since people automatically assume the worst about them. Every college setting is different, but one thing remains true: the girls who surround themselves with more friends are more stable and have broken away from this way of thinking. As Matlin says, “Single women frequently develop flexible support systems for caring and social conneciton” (285).  It seems that the girls who are more connected to their colleges, whether it be through sororities, sports teams, or clubs, are more accepting of their singlehood and less negative towards the people around them. Those who struggle to accept themselves, and hate the feeling of being single are the ones who have distanced themselves from others and have more negative outlooks on life.

            The research from this investigation has shown that a woman’s tweets can tell a lot about who she is and what is important to her, as well as whether or not she is truly happy. It seems that women in college long for relationships, but those who limit those relationships to only ones with a male partner instead of friendships or relationships with family members are more negative. In today’s world being single no longer carries the same stigma it once did and is widely accepted; however, if a woman does not accept herself she carries her own stigma laced with negativity and loneliness.

Works Cited

Matlin , Margaret W. The Psychology of Women. 6th Edition. Belmont, CA: The

Thomson Corporation, 2008.

College has long been described as a four-year vacation from real life. Similar to trying on a great pair of shoes, college is about trying on different lifestyles and figuring out which one works. Along with this, college is also a time to experiment with different relationships. Many people believe that when they get to college they will find their one true love; however, one may wonder if those who have been single for a long period of time view college relationships differently than those in relationships or newly single. Therefore, research has been done to prove whether or not heterosexual women in college between the ages of 19-21 who have been single for over a year, have more negative outlooks on life. Out of five women who have never met and attend different colleges and universities, they have one major thing in common: they have been single for over a year. Research also shows that all have similar views, opinions, and interests, which may or may not be contributed to their singlehood.

            Several similarities arose from compiling various tweets from each girls Twitter accounts. Their tweets establish what their interests, opinions, and hobbies are as well as their main priorities. The first thing that was noticed was how the feeling of exhaustion was a key theme seen in an abundance of each girl’s tweets. Similarly, taking naps and going to sleep were main priorities across the board, signifying different things depending on their course load and outside activities. For some of the girls, this need for sleep is a result of having too much going on during the course of a week and therefore feeling overwhelmed, while others may be demonstrating signs of loneliness and the need to escape reality by taking naps throughout the day. In the book “Psychology of Women” author Margaret Matlin says, “When women are asked about the disadvantages of being single, they frequently mention loneliness” (285). Whether these women are experiencing loneliness or are just tired one must look deeper into how they cope with everyday struggles and events.

            Beyond napping, their course load, jobs, sports, and other activities play a large role in their lives; however, they each demonstrate a lack of motivation to do schoolwork, or the drive to achieve and live up to their fullest potentials. Many of them have negative tweets that refer to themselves and their own lack of commitment to schoolwork, relationships, and jobs. They demonstrate the characteristics of those who have low self-esteem and verge on depressive tendencies. In addition, Matlin says, “Single women score lower on tests of self-acceptance” (284). Their tweets demonstrate that they have negative attitudes towards themselves, and live their lives day-by-day instead of thinking long term about their futures.

            A majority of the girls view their lives day-by-day, and as college students this is to be expected; however, rarely do any mention a bright future ahead of them, but instead dwell on the struggles they face throughout the day. An abundance of the negative tweets generated from each girl pertain to everyday struggles such as waiting in line, scoring low on a test, waking up late for class, etc. One of the biggest similarities between these tweets has to do with the weather. Each girl had significantly better attitudes when the weather was nice out, and for a majority of them they were some of the only positive tweets. On the other hand, when the weather was cold or overcast the girls demonstrated the complete opposite. In addition, their negative attitudes about everyday struggles carried into their opinions about other people, as many of them complained about the annoying tendencies of those around them.

            Each girl posted negative tweets at one point or another about someone that was around her that upset or agitated her. Whether it was a roommate, a close friend, or a stranger, the girl’s tweets demonstrated that they are just as judgmental towards others as they are towards themselves; however, research has indicated that the girls who have stronger support systems and mention more people on Twitter, as well as interact with more people have less negative tweets than the others. It also seems that the girls who interact with more friends, and make more references about their families are more well rounded and less likely to post about the people around them. They demonstrate more positivity, but remain negative about day-to-day struggles.

            A number of tweets demonstrate that although each girl seems to be content with the way their lives are going they are not fully satisfied. Each girl differs in personality traits. This was established after analyzing their tweets; however, research suggests that many people clump single women together in one unified category with similar personalities. Matlin says, “College students tend to describe single people as lonely, shy, unhappy, insecure and inflexible” (284). If this data remains true, these girls are already stereotyped, which may lead to their negative outlooks since people automatically assume the worst about them. Every college setting is different, but one thing remains true: the girls who surround themselves with more friends are more stable and have broken away from this way of thinking. As Matlin says, “Single women frequently develop flexible support systems for caring and social conneciton” (285).  It seems that the girls who are more connected to their colleges, whether it be through sororities, sports teams, or clubs, are more accepting of their singlehood and less negative towards the people around them. Those who struggle to accept themselves, and hate the feeling of being single are the ones who have distanced themselves from others and have more negative outlooks on life.

            The research from this investigation has shown that a woman’s tweets can tell a lot about who she is and what is important to her, as well as whether or not she is truly happy. It seems that women in college long for relationships, but those who limit those relationships to only ones with a male partner instead of friendships or relationships with family members are more negative. In today’s world being single no longer carries the same stigma it once did and is widely accepted; however, if a woman does not accept herself she carries her own stigma laced with negativity and loneliness.

Works Cited

Matlin , Margaret W. The Psychology of Women. 6th Edition. Belmont, CA: The

Thomson Corporation, 2008.

Taylor: Majority of tweets relates to life within sorority, obviously a big priority and takes up a majority of time. Also where most relationships are from and what most events relate back to. Main priority is having fun, doing activities within sorority. Tweets show no serious motivation, and more so negative than positive, especially towards the male gender. Very negative about differences between males and females, criticizes and judges more than appreciates and acknowledges. Recurring themes seem to be not caring, giving off a nonchalant attitude, while also being very harsh and to the point. Mainly talks about her, complains about daily issues, uses sarcasm frequently to express negativity towards situations.

Kayla: Very family oriented, has a lot of friends, talks to people throughout the day. Focuses a lot on what the weather is like, ultimately the weather determines the mood, thus represented in tweets. Tweets referring to sleeping, napping, and emotions such as exhaustion and fatigue mentioned most frequently, also main source of anxiety and complaints. Never mentions being single, or talks about the male gender. Has a more positive outlook than negative, most negative tweets refer to emotions such as feeling tired or relating to work and school. Family is a large source of positive tweets, seem to have the most emotion behind them, and command the most response from followers.

Janelle: Mostly negative tweets, refer to being lonely, not feeling well, or whining about daily activities or work to be done. Not many positive tweets, everything relates back to feelings of exhaustion. Rarely interacts with other people, or mentions family or friends. Tweets demonstrate lack of drive, or emotion, somewhat depressive. Doesn’t criticize others, but does judge herself. A lot of things relate back to her in one way or another, criticizes herself frequently, a lot of self-depreciation, but also seems light hearted in some ways. Seems to always have to be busy, but complains about being tired. Doesn’t seem to care much for relationships, solely focusing on her and her only.

Krista: Tweets revolve around schoolwork and day-by-day schedules. Subject of tweets usually revolve around homework or work to be done, mostly negative tweets responding to the time in which something is due, or the little time she has to accomplish things. Tweets demonstrate lack of motivation and determination; does not have a positive outlook on school. Doesn’t interact with other people via twitter, mentions family occasionally. Family seems to be a source of support, whereas friends are more so seen as distractions or people to converse with. Overall, tweets have negative connotations revealing unsatisfactory lifestyle, or distress.

Kat: Very judgmental towards those who lack the same motivation that she has. Criticizes roommates and friends regularly. Subject of tweets vary between friendships, exhaustion, and food.  Negative connotations when speaking about people around her, rarely talks about herself or others in a positive way. Tweets demonstrate that she is closed off and guarded, using twitter as a way of expressing emotions and releasing tension. Rarely talks to other people, and never mentions family, or other support systems.

Overall summary of Data Collection from above participants:

            This data collection showcases five women between the ages of 19-21 who attend college as full-time students, and who have been single for over a year. Their tweets were analyzed to determine if they are more negative than women who are in relationships or are recently single. The data will also determine what their main priorities are what kind of attitudes and beliefs they hold, and whether they are positive or negative. All of the girls were very similar in that sleeping and taking naps were main priorities, and the feeling of being tired or exhausted was a key theme throughout. Sleeping can be construed as both positive and negative, but for most circumstances, sleeping was a way to escape reality and conflicts of everyday life.

They each varied in their emotional and mental states, which can be attributed to what their support systems are like. Many of them refer to friends and family, but those who don’t have more negative outlooks on life. Each girl was at a different level of negativity, depending on the subject. Those who have more people in their lives seem to be more content, but not full satisfied. None of the girls very overly positive, and several tweets revolved around them and their views on the events currently taking up their time. Many tweeted about feeling of overwhelming work, and not enough time to do things. Overall, they each seem to have more negative opinions about things, resulting in negative perspectives.