By Jennifer Werner, Student at Radford University

Are you having doubts about your relationship? Are you feeling left out of the loop because your friends are gossiping about having a summer fling?

No relationship is perfect — there will always be ups and downs — but if you’re having doubts about whether you should stick with the person you’re dating, then obviously something is missing in the relationship.

So, before you make a rash decision, here are some things to consider:

Does he treat you the way that you want to be treated? Find a guy that will treat you with respect. If he doesn’t respect you, then the relationship will never last. Don’t let anyone intimidate you or put you down. There’s a difference between playful banter and verbal abuse. You should be with someone that appreciates you and likes you for the person that you are, not someone who tries to change you.

What do you want? Figure out what you want out of life. Some say that opposites attract, but if you don’t share some of the same goals and values, then there is almost a guarantee that things won’t last. Relationships are a compromise, so what are you willing to compromise? Once you know who you are and what you want, then you can put another person into the equation.

How do you feel when you’re with him? Do you still get butterflies in your stomach when you see or hear him? Do you look forward to spending time with him or do you make excuses so you can avoid hanging out with him? The initial “honeymooner” phase of a relationship won’t always last, but if you are trying to find a way out of seeing him, then there’s a problem. If you’re starting to lose interest in him, maybe you should reconsider your relationship.

In the end, figure out what makes you happy. You should be happy in your relationship and if the negative things outweigh the positive, then you need to make a change.

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net