Ohio College Students' Opinions on Valentine's Day

Is Valentine’s Day as important as it may seem? Everyone has a different perspective on

the meaning of the holiday, including college students. To gain a deeper insight, hear what students from three Ohio universities have to say about Valentine’s Day.

OWU Sophomore Amanda Matias Gonzalez thinks the holiday sends out a good vibe on the campus.

“It’s a really sweet holiday to show your love for your romantic partner,”  said Matias Gonzalez.

Ohio Wesleyan doesn’t host any large events as a university to celebrate the holiday.

Students on campus celebrate on their own, including Matias Gonzalez who plans to “chill in her room and watch a romance movie in hopes of one day finding someone.”

Sophomore Riley Powell at the University of Cincinnati provides another perspective

regarding Valentine’s Day. 

“Valentine’s for me is funny because I’ve been perpetually single ... but I like pink, and hearts, and candy, so I like the vibe of it all,” Powell said. 

In terms of plans, she currently has none but still enjoys the holiday.

Anastasija Mladenovska published an article on Valentine’s Day in 2024 in The Miami Student, an online newspaper and media website for Miami University. The article was titled “Make it make sense: Valentine’s Day in the U.S. is a vile experience”

She highlighted the consumeristic nature of the holiday in a more cynical tone.

“A lot of my college peers look at Valentine’s Day as a celebratory experience that

will somehow revive their relationships. It becomes about who gets what, how much they get and who posts the gifts on social media first.” 

Mladenovska seems to think that most students enjoy the day, while she believes the holiday is a competition in who can spend the most money.

Opinions on the holiday are widespread, and college students are conflicted. Valentine’s

Day celebrates love but also alienates single people, and Americans spend over $20 billion each year on the holiday.

How do you feel about Valentine’s Day?