There’s several misconceptions about the reality of dating an arts student — that they’re edgy, that they have great taste in music and that they’re interesting.

But beneath the veneer of self-deprecation and ink stains lurks an ordinary individual who can’t afford avocados just like everyone else.

Expectation: They’ll write heaps of songs about you.
Reality: You’ll be lucky to get just one.

Not everyone is lucky enough to get a song written about them, so meeting a music student seems like your ticket to being immortalised in the history of music. Unfortunately, it’s highly likely that the only song they will write about you is about the moment where you threw up on them at the uni bar.

‘Chunks of Nandos’ is expected to top the Hottest 100 next year, so that’s something to look forward to.

Expectation: They must have some really interesting stories!
Reality: Sort of, but nah.

As they’ve clawed their way through the arts industry, they must surely have some great stories to tell. In reality, they’ve heard from a guy who knows a guy whose dog can confirm that Waleed Aly picks his nose.

Expectation: They’ll be into indie music, foreign film festivals, and artisanal bakeries.
Reality: They’re cool, but not that cool.

Artists, despite the initial pretentiousness and great hair, can be some of the most uncultured plebs on the planet. They like Brooklyn 99 and eating kebabs at 3am as much as anyone else who isn’t interesting enough to be an artist. Besides, when you’re expected to work for free 98 per cent of the time, can you really afford an artisan croissant?

Expectation: They’re a tortured soul and they’ll pour the negativity into their work.
Reality: They’ll channel that negativity into something else.

Whenever they get melancholic, or when their digital art piece about penguins gets rejected, you’ll find them under the doona with a packet of chips and several empty pizza boxes.

Expectation: Your friends will be jealous that they’re so talented.
Reality: You’re actually jealous of their partners.

You thought it was cute that your new partner could play guitar and serenade you at any time. You relished how jealous your friends were of his dreaminess. But after the billionth rendition of ‘Hey Soul Sister’, you’re secretly plotting to strangle him. You thought that Susan’s boyfriend was really boring, but at this point, Barry’s dullness is starting to look endearing to you (please call me, Barry).

Expectation: They go to all of the trendy cafes and the best bars in the city.
Reality: Knowing does not equal going.

After stalking their Instagram and marvelling at all the gigs they went to, you’re convinced you’re dating the most cultured person on campus. Sure, they know where all the cool places are, but whether they can afford to get in or not is debatable. They’re aware of that cafe that’s shaped like Obama and they’ve walked past the bar that serves purple gin, but the last place they seriously raved about was the McDonalds near the petting zoo.

Expectation: Your parents and your partner can surely find some common ground.
Reality: You should probably consider dating a Law student.

Your dad likes classic rock music and your art student partner plays electric guitar, so they’ll definitely have something to talk about, right? Wrong. Anticipate an awkward conversation where your Dad asks your partner about his ‘real job’ and where your boo thinks that AC/DC is akin ancient history.