It was a beautiful June wedding. Almost 200 guests crowded the small Georgia church to see what was coined as the "event of the year."
A honeymoon in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and a new home in Cordova followed. Their first child is due in October. It seems as if everything has fallen into place except one thing - a college education.
The groom left college three years ago to venture into "the real world" and the bride expects to graduate this December.
"It was an amazing day. The timing and everything was perfect," said Brian Smith, the groom.
This couple, like so many others, is choosing to stray from the traditional path of education first and then life follows second. But in an instant gratification society, not everyone agrees that this is the best route to follow.
According to a study conducted by the Journal of College Student Development, married students have moderate difficulties adjusting to the demands of a higher education compared to unmarried students.
Paul Reed, a graduate student, will get married June 3, but does not graduate until the following May.
He is well aware of the new demands that will be placed on him but that has not changed his decision.
"The time commitment may be a challenge because you have to commit time to your relationship and commit to school," he said. "The good thing is that my fiancé' is a student too. We both know what each other is going through."
According to James Kaufman, counseling director at Samaritan Counseling Centers of the Mid-South, managing school and the demands of marriage can be a stressful situation.
"First, you have to appreciate that this is a major change that requires adjustments in one's life," he said. "The couple must negotiate their new lifestyle."
A good support system can also makes juggling college life and marriage a little easier.
"Being married hasn't had any negative affects on me going to school," said Tamika Johnson, senior journalism student. "My husband is very supportive and he respects that I have goals and dreams as well."
Other students have decided to wait for marriage for various reasons.
"Cultural influences kept me from getting married before I graduated," said Romar Rodriguez, graduate student. "My parents advised me to wait."
Because marital status is not a part of the admission application, it is unknown how many married students attend The U of M.
"There are three principles to keep in mind, the three C's," said Kaufman. "They are communication, compromise and cooperation."
