Top 8 Dating Tips for College Students

BY MARTHA KARN

No matter who you are or how old you are, that first date with someone can be a very nerve-wracking experience. After all, you need to be on your very best behavior, while at the same time being yourself so they can get to know the real you. You are both testing the waters here, so it is best to make sure that neither you nor your date have to worry about any added pressures. Here are some dating tips for college students that will help you to enjoy your dates, and be safe.

1. Know Your Boundaries – You need to set specific boundaries for yourself, and stick to them. For instance, it may be that you don’t want to date anyone who drinks a lot. If your date takes you to a bar and proceeds to get inebriated, it is a good sign that this is not the person for you. Don’t compromise your standards just to impress someone who you probably won’t date again anyway.
2. Don’t Drink too Much – Speaking of drinking, it is never a good idea to drink too much, especially when you are on a first date. It is inevitably going to give one of three wrong impressions: you are nervous; you drink a lot; or that they can take certain liberties with you because you have been drinking.
3. Avoid Dating People in Your Dorm – Yes, this may sound strange, since you are going to meet a lot of people in your dorm or apartment building. But, if you should happen to start dating someone from the dorm, and things turn sour, it is going to make things very awkward when you inevitably pass each other in the hallway.
4. Pick a Safe First Date Location – When it comes to first dates, it is a good idea to arrive in separate vehicles, and meet up at a public location. There are some terrific restaurants that are ideal for first dates, including IHOP, Texas Roadhouse, Golden Corral, Cheesecake Factory, etc. where you can enjoy a great meal and get to know each other in a safe and comfortable environment. Or you can drive somewhere beautiful with takeaway food from McDonalds.
5. Don’t Get too Serious – This is your time to experiment and figure out what you really want out of life. It is not the time to look for that one person who you think you can spend the rest of your life with. Sure, it may just end up happening, but if it doesn’t, don’t let it get you down. There is plenty of time to find a life partner after college.
6. Don’t Stay in a Bad Relationship – It may be that you are dating someone now, but the relationship isn’t going the way you want it to, or that this person isn’t who you thought they were. You don’t have to stay in a bad relationship and be miserable. If things aren’t working out, it is time to move on and meet someone new, or even just be single for a while until you know what you really want.
7. Be Loyal – If you have met someone who is the yin to your yang, don’t make the mistake of dating others. If this is a person who you have a real connection with, and want to be with in the long term, the last thing you want is to mess things up by dating someone else, and then having the love of your life walk away from the relationship because you are not taking it seriously.
8. Don’t be Joined at the Hip – Once you begin dating someone, you may have a tendency to want to be with them all the time, constantly on the phone or texting, etc. If you are meant to be a couple, you will be, and there really is no need to be constantly joined at the hip. You both need your own time and space.

Bio:

Martha Karn develops online educational courses and writes for students.