Crushes are chaos, but you can actually run experiments instead of just rotting and overthinking in the bathroom.
Look at what actually happens, not what you call it. If you both make plans in advance, show up for each other on bad days, introduce each other (at least to some friends), talk about problems instead of just ghosting or sulking, and you both roughly know where this is going, that’s relationship energy. If it stays on late‑night texts, vibes, and flirting that never quite becomes clear, if you’re scared to ask “what are we?” because you know the answer might ruin the fantasy, or if they only treat you like a priority when they’re bored or lonely, that’s situationship territory. You don’t need a fancy label, but you do need matched effort and respect—if that’s missing, call it what it is and protect your heart.
It depends on your situation, not some universal rule. Dating can teach you communication, boundaries, how you like to be treated, and what kind of person you want to be with—stuff you don’t learn from textbooks. But if the relationship is constant drama, drains your mental health, or makes you tank your grades in a way that’ll actually hurt your future options, it’s too expensive. Ask yourself: can I still study, sleep, and show up for myself while being with this person? Are they supporting my goals or distracting me from all of them? If it’s mostly stress and guilt, it’s okay to step back; there’ll be more time for love than for board exams or entrance tests.
You can’t fully heal if you’re feeding the crush 24/7, so you have to cut off “extra” access even if you still see them. At school, that might mean limiting how often you sit near them, muting their stories, not checking who they like or text, and avoiding little excuses to talk. Online, mute or restrict instead of doom‑stalking their profile. Then you need replacement stuff—people, hobbies, work—because empty time turns into fantasy time. Let yourself feel sad without making it your entire identity; talk to one friend honestly instead of pretending you’re over it. It doesn’t magically stop hurting, it just gets a bit less sharp each week if you stop reopening the wound on purpose.