As we welcome in the new year and inch closer to the 14th of February, it’s time for a check-in. Maybe it’s because we spend all our time playing sports and doing homework, or because our parents don’t want us to date, or simply because we’re not interested, but for whatever reason, Lakeside has earned the reputation of a school without much romance. Each year, as is tradition, Tatler checks in with the student body to get the real truth. By comparing the results from Tatler’s famed February Poll with national data, let’s see if Lakeside really is so weird after all.

What percent of Lakesiders have been in a relationship?

54% of 151 Tatler poll respondents reported that they had been in a relationship at some point in their life. Additionally, 13% of respondents reported “Maybe”—assumedly that indicates either a relationship without labels or one that never fully bloomed. In comparison, a Pew Research Center study titled “Teens, Technology, and Romantic Relationships” found that in 2015, 35% of teenagers aged 13-17 had been in a romantic relationship in their life.

What percentage of Lakesiders are currently in a relationship?

The same study reported that, when surveyed in 2015, 19% of teenagers were in a romantic relationship, although a quarter of those were reported as not being serious. How does Lakeside compare? Data shows that we’re pretty evenly matched against the national average, with 21% of 151 respondents reporting that they are currently in a relationship. Similarly, 11% of respondents are confused on the matter and selected “Maybe.”

How do Lakesiders communicate with their romantic partners?

With the ongoing rise of technology, the way that teenagers communicate with their romantic partners continues to change. At Lakeside, the most popular form of communication is talking in-person, with 35% of respondents choosing that option. However, the traditional method is followed closely by texting (27%), calling and video calling (14%), messaging over social media (8%), and Omegle (with a surprising 5%). Finally, a few outliers use email, written letters, or Spanishdict. On a national level, texting is most popular among teenagers, followed closely by talking on the phone and talking in person, indicating that Lakesiders are more interested in or more able to communicate face-to-face.

While the number of Lakeside students currently in a relationship equals the national average, many more have dated someone at some point in their lives. So, rather than lagging behind as rumours might suggest, Lakesiders are actually ahead of the game when it comes to romance.