College is full of life lessons. How to survive on your own, how to land a job, how to choose the right group of friends. But some of the most interesting stories that come out of those four years involve experiences (and mistakes) with sex, dating, and relationships. Here are what some senior College Mag readers advised for freshmen entering the campus dating pool:
“Personally, it’s better to find a girl you know than to go after the stereotypical ‘get laid as much as possible’ line of thought. First of all, no one, guys or girls, really want to be with people that are constantly hooking up. Also, everyone knows that STDs are common at colleges, especially if you’re going to hook up with the type of people that will follow you home from the bar drunk. If you do that sort of thing, you might just get more than a bad reputation.” – Jake Goldner, Georgetown University
“College is a time for maturing, but it’s also about having fun. Explore your options and don’t settle for your high school sweetheart or the first person you lay eyes on at orientation. Go out and meet a lot of people to see what type of personality best fits you so when the real world comes graduation time, you’ll be ready for that real relationship.” – Annie Davis, University of the District of Columbia
“It can be easy to get caught up in classes, extracurricular activities and partying, and most people forget that hooking up drunk at a party isn’t how normal people act. It can be good to go out on a date every once in a while, get dinner and see a movie your friends would make fun of you for seeing. After all, you’ll have to start dating after college, no use forgetting how to while you’re there.” – Travis Hanes, Salisbury University
“Just because all you can afford is ramen and whatever snacks your mother sent you, doesn’t mean you can’t treat someone to a special and romantic date! Take advantage of all of the free programs on your campus. It really is the thought that counts.” – Rachel Sanchez, College of Saint Rose
