Dating in College: Balance Yourself!

You're in college now, and you want to go out and experience the dating scene. Dating can be something fun to go after in college, as this is the age where people usually begin the search for lifelong mates, but it's hard to find someone to learn about when you haven't really learned much about yourself. In addition to your academics, balancing a relationship can be hard work, especially if you two spend every waking moment together (or want to). Here are some tips on how to have a great catch while maintaining a healthy relationship that won't burn out in 2 weeks.

Go out and Meet People

Simple as it sounds, many people have problems with this first step. College is so full of all different kinds of people from different walks of life, yet shyness or reclusiveness can kill your chances at meeting all of these great students. Go to clubs, activities, dances, banquets - whatever you can get your hands on. When you go to class, keep on the lookout for people you can meet and strike up a conversation with.

Remember to define your own interests first before you rush into any activities. If you really enjoy tennis, then go play on the tennis club. Once you have established that you will be attending practices, you can get the chance to know familiar faces around the courts, and strike up a conversation with people you may enjoy. If you both have similar interests, then it's a lot easier to develop a stronger bond and become friends (and maybe start dating) faster.

Why Rush?

Many people will rush to date another person, as they are emotionally involved and can't think straight. Both parties end up realizing that they really didn't have much in common, and the relationship's flame burns out mighty fast. You have so much time besides your academics to get to know a person, so why don't you spend it wisely? If you are rushing the other person to begin a relationship, you may ruin your chances of actually starting one. Dating is by no means a green light that the "boyfriend girlfriend" phase has started. Be sure to get to know someone fully inside and out before you really make the commitment to get together. Dating is something that precedes a relationship, and the most time should be spent in this stage. Especially if you are feeling the vibe with someone in your classes or your dorm, time should be spent to get to know each other before a relationship is started. Remember, if things don't work out then you two have to see each other for the whole year. Can someone say awkward?

It can Wait

Many college students are in a rush to experience sex. The fact of the matter is, college is a highly energetic and emotional environment, so it's easy to get caught up in the moment. If you really like the person you are dating, wait until you both agree, or even until marriage (whatever you see fit). If you two do something that you will regret later, it could delay your schooling or even force you two out. Never rush into anything, and only get involved when both of you agree and both of you can think clearly. Even if you graduate a virgin, there is nothing wrong with that.

Date Safely

Especially if you are a girl, dating in college can be a scary idea with all of the partying and alcohol being thrown around. Make sure you know everything that is going on before you jump into anything. If you feel pressured at any moment, then just leave. Things can spiral downward in a hurry. Always keep an eye on who you are hanging out with, and try to keep a group of friends with you. Just because you met this really hot guy at a party doesn't mean he is a good guy.

There will be all kinds of crazy guys in college, so try your best to test the waters before you ever do anything. Tell a friend or a roommate where you're going and when you'll be back, so in case anything happens they will know. Things like keeping an eye on your drink so someone doesn't slip anything in it, or agreeing to do your first couple of dates in a public scene are just some precautionary measures to make sure you don't do anything you regret or be forced into a situation with someone you don't know well.

Know Your Priorities

Although you would like to maintain a relationship and spend all of your time with someone you truly adore, know that your career is at stake in college as well. Doing well academically should be a high priority, although you will find that time flies in college and before you know it, the next midterm is coming up.

When your girlfriend or boyfriend is truly busy, don't nag them to come and hang out with you. Instead treat this as a time to study so that you can see him/her later. Try to make your time to be as productive as possible without having to always think about him/her. If both of you have time, you can study together. Especially if it's someone you enjoy being with, you will find that the rate at which you retain information is much faster than if you were stuck in the lecture hall listening to the professor. So help each other out by reviewing, quizzing each other, and make the learning fun. Moments that stand out in your mind are much easier to remember, so prepare for that next midterm with a productive yet fun study session with your significant other.

Strike up a motivation to do well in school so you can reward yourself later by spending time with your significant other. If both of you motivate each other and set limits and goals, then the feeling of succeeding along with being able to go on a date will give much more peace of mind than hanging out the night before, messing up, and having to live with the regret. Your honey will be there to hang out with you later on, but a midterm happens only once.

So there you have it. Dating in college is a really fun experience because of the scope and amount of people you will meet. Make sure to keep it fun and light at first, and only begin to get serious if you two feel a connection. Rushing into anything is never any good, especially when human emotions are on the line. Even so, realize that you are attending college not just for girls and guys, but for yourself as well.