by Gabrielle Difabbio

Created on: November 25, 2009   Last Updated: November 28, 2009

The "dating game" in college changes in one major way: college students generally stop "dating" in the traditional sense and instead begin to explore the dating spectrum.

On one end of the college dating spectrum are serious couples. Many students begin college carrying over a serious relationship from high school. Others on this end of the spectrum may meet someone while they are in college and immediately enter a serious relationship having only known each other for a short period of time. On the other end of the college dating spectrum are the students who remain so casual that they hardly date at all. Then there are those college students who fall somewhere in the middle. Perhaps they develop a relationship with one person over time, a friendship that ultimately blossoms into a relationship. Or, perhaps they "date" a number of people casually but then find one person. And there are even those college students who are always in and out of relationships never seeming to find that perfect fit.

Before jumping in, it is important for students entering the college dating scene to know the major differences between dating life in high school vs. dating life in college. At first glance, the "dating spectrum" might not seem to be such a foreign concept. But upon further examination, it is easy to see how this is a dramatic change from pre-college dating.

Change #1 - The rules are there are no rules.

In high school, students live at home with their parents. Generally, parents have a say in who their children date and how and if they date. There are curfews, mandatory pre-date parent meetings, and the dates are limited in both duration and location. Dates actually have to be initiated. Otherwise, contact may not exist beyond what exists at school. However, in college there are no parents, there are no rules, and in effect college students are already living together, separated only by the buildings on campus. Sometimes, they are separated by as little as a hallway. There are no curfews. A date could last all night if it is a success. In addition, many college students are less choosy about whom they decide to date because there is no need for the parental stamp of approval.

Change #2 - The intensity level increases.

At the beginning of a high school relationship, the time future couples spend talking on the phone or emailing as a slow and steady way of getting to know each other, is replaced in college with an endless amount of physical time together. College

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>