DISTURBING FACTS ABOUT CAMPUS RELATIONSHIPS.

Naturally, human beings, in this case, students, believe life is better shared or lived when they are emotionally and physically connected with each other, therefore, they establish relationships ( romantic, friendship, and acquaintanceship) with their peers. When joining campus, they are often thrilled about what their next chapter in life would entail and who would get their “fair share” of everything.

Without carefully analyzing the type of people they let in their lives, they end up accommodating toxic people in the guise of friends and partners, who later on pose a threat to their mental well-being. Some of them become toxic without intending to, while others deliberately find solace in doing so, in the name of vengeance for the agony they had endured in their previous relationships.

Toxic relationships are, therefore, characterized by a set of actions that stem from the toxic thoughts and emotions of the people involved. According to a Daily Mail survey, over 60% of people are still in toxic relationships. Toxicity may not always develop as a result of both parties' conduct; occasionally, people acting in this manner are unaware of the harm their toxic trait causes to others.

Some students often get into relationships with the intent to obtain emotional support to cope with schoolwork pressure, while others do so for financial, sexual, frequently referred to as "Friends With Benefits (FWB)," pressure group, fame, replacement, and tasting purposes. The saddest thing is that victims of toxic relationships either deliberately disregard red flags or just do not know how to distinguish the difference between a healthy and an unhealthy relationship.

As a result, the toxic social environment becomes a health hazard to students, leading to stress, anxiety, and depression. It may also lead to isolating them from other more empowering and supportive relationships, pessimism, low self-esteem, neglect of self-care practices, insecurity, paranoia, helplessness, and even suicide.

To terminate toxic relationships, individuals must surround themselves with people who support them throughout, be intentional in their daily pursuits, work on having open communication, show true love, and hold room for others' growth, among other things.