by Christina Mcdonald

Created on: November 27, 2009

College dating can be a lot of fun and it is a great way to meet new people. The time you spend dating at college can help you realise what you need from a relationship and you will no doubt learn valuable lessons from your experiences. College dating is a chance for you to enjoy yourself.

If you are thinking about becoming more committed to a relationship when you are at college, you need to be sure this is what you really want. College dating is fun but don't rule out the possibility of finding someone you can have a long-term relationship with. I have often heard stories from couples who have met their partner at college and are now happily married!

Here are some tips that can help you to make the most out of college dating:

*Don't let dating interfere with your study commitments:

Studying should be your first priority at college. Try not to let dating take precedence over studying as you may find yourself falling behind with your classes if you are going out too much. Make sure you learn to manage your time properly if you make a choice to date regularly.

It is also important to be disciplined with yourself when it comes to balancing studying with your social life. If you have an assignment due, don't put it off because somebody cute has asked you out on a date! He (or she) will still be cute once your deadline passes.

*Don't spend too much money on dating:

It is important you don't spend too much money on dating when you are at college. As a student, you will need to be frugal with your expenses and it is important you do not waste money unnecessarily on dating. It is a good idea to look for restaurants and bars that do a student discount. You should be able to have a good night out on a budget if you go to the right places. If you find going out is still too expensive, you can always arrange a cosy night indoors!

*Do not become romantically involved with your college professor:

Yes- it happens. This can cause many problems as there is already a prescribed relationship in place that defines your respective roles. Crossing these boundaries is something you should not do lightly. If you find that you are attracted to your college professor, you need to analyse why you feel this way.

It could simply be a crush that will disappear over time. If your peers find out that you are dating a lecturer, you may run the risk of becoming increasingly disliked as well as being perceived as a blatant opportunist who is trying to secure unfair advantage for good grades.

*Practice Safe Sex:

If you are dating at college, make sure you use contraception. Pregnancy worries are the last thing you will want to be concerned with when you have exam pressure and deadlines looming around the corner. As a student, you may want to experiment with sex in college and it is vital you are properly informed. Do not take unnecessary risks in regards to your sexual health.

Sexually transmitted infections can be prevented by wearing a condom. If your partner is trying to pressurise you into having unprotected sex, you should not be afraid to say no. If your partner genuinely cares about your feelings and respects you, they will not put you under pressure to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable.

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