College Student Dating Tips
Advice on How to Meet People and Have Healthy College Relationships
May 27, 2007
Looking for love on campus? Here's some candid advice on college dating to help you meet great people and avoid a broken heart.
Dating on a college campus has lots of advantages. This may be the easiest time in your life for you to meet people! Usually there are plenty of fun and inexpensive activities to do around campus. On the other hand, college dating can be complicated because it takes place in an atmosphere filled with stress, drama, and gossip. Here are some simple dating advice DO's and DON'Ts to keep in mind.
- DO look for people to date in your classes. They're likely to have similar interests. In addition, you have a built-in way to meet them. "Hey, you're in my English class, right? Did you understand yesterday's lecture?"
- DON'T date people in your dorm-- or if you do, proceed with caution. If you break up, you're going to be stuck with each other for the rest of the year. If you do stay together, you're going to be the subject of gossip.
- DON'T date your friend's ex unless you are completely sure it's okay with your friend. Losing a friendship is almost never worth it.
- DO be cautious about meeting people in bars and parties, especially if alcohol is involved. Yes, you can meet people this way, but they aren't always the people you really want to get to know.
- DON'T date your professors or TAs. It might be okay to date them after the course is over, but be aware of the problems that come along with dating your professor.
- DO avoid drama. One of the hardest parts of about college relationships is that you're surrounded by constant drama in your friendship groups. Keep your relationship as drama free as possible.
- DO be patient with one another. College is a very difficult and stressful time for many young people, so it's natural that you and your partner will be dealing with a bit of baggage.
- DON'T spread secrets about your partner. This is always a bad idea, but it's worse on a campus where gossip spreads quickly.
- DO go on dates outside of college. A little "real life" will do you good! Something as simple as a trip to the TGIFriday's outside of town will be a nice break.
- DO watch movies together, either at a theater or on a DVD player. Movies make a great college date because they're relaxing and cheap. Here are some ideas for college date movies.
- DO be cautious about dating multiple people on campus. If everyone agrees, there's nothing wrong with this. However, you're all bound to run into each other on campus. Messy situations are likely.
- DON'T cheat on your partner. Not that cheating is ever a good idea, but on campus, getting caught is very easy!
- DO be cautious about getting involved sexually. College is an emotionally charged environment, so sexual relationships get emotionally charged as well. Never, ever do anything you're not completely comfortable with. Insist on using a condom every time. And there's nothing wrong with being a virgin in college.
- DON'T ever drink excessively on a date unless you are completely sure you can trust the person you are with. Know your limit with alcohol.
- DON'T ever allow yourself to be alone on a date until you know you can trust the person you are with. Date rape as a serious epidemic of college campuses, and yes, it can happen to you. Always err on the side of caution.
- DO think carefully about getting engaged or getting married during or shortly after college. Many young marriages last forever, but many more do not. Never consider marriage because you feel it's the "thing to do" after college.
The copyright of the article College Student Dating Tips in Campus Life is owned by Naomi Rockler-Gladen. Permission to republish College Student Dating Tips in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
