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’S
* DO look for people to date in your classes. They’re likely to have similar interests. The main reason is that you may have more in common in the way of interests than what you’ve bargained for.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?”
* 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. Alcohol personalities are way different from the true self of an individual.
* 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 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.
* 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.
* 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.
*DO try and show patience towards one another. It’s only natural that you and your date are stressed out with the educational side of college life, so be aware of that baggage.
*DO try to date off-campus once in a while. Chances are the change will do you good and you’ll get to venture out into new territory — especially if you’re from another area.
*DO exercise caution when it comes to dating more than one partner. Most of the time this can breed some volatile consequences, especially if all of you happen to run into each other at the same time. That just gets too sticky to deal with.
*DO Tell someone where you’re going — and when you’ll be back. You don’t have to spill all the juicy details, but at least let someone know what your plans are.
*DO go with another couple. If you’re not quite sure how interested you are in someone, go out with a bunch of people. You can disguise it (”I’d love to check out this new club with you, and some friends of mine are going on Saturday…”) while still making sure you aren’t stuck alone.
DON’TS
* DON’T date people in your dorm or apartment complex—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 even consider a date with one of your professors or TAs. Though it may be a different story once the class is over, it’s one of the biggest DON’Ts there is in college.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.
* DON’T spread secrets about your partner. This is always a bad idea, but it’s worse on a campus where gossip spreads quickly.
* DON’T cheat on your partner. Not that cheating is ever a good idea, but on campus, getting caught is very easy!
* 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.
*DON’T tolerate the drama queens. Who has time for it? You’re under enough stress already just trying to get an education. So tell her to “Save the drama for your mama!”
*DON’T risk losing a good friendship by trying to date their “ex”. Real friendships are few and far between in this world. Even if they say it’s ok, I would still caution against it.
Finally, DON’T get involved in the cheating game. Cheating in any relationship is just wrong, but when you are in a campus setting, it’s way too easy to get busted for this.
