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How To Make The Most Of Dating In College

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCSD chapter.

You like a guy. But you’ve never been on a date or he’s in the dark about your feelings for him. Can you claim him? Can your friends swoop in and use your lack of forwardness as an excuse, and now you’ve lost your opportunity? Should you just put yourself out there and see how he will reciprocate?

TOO many questions with TOO many answers.

As much as I’d like to say guys are simple, they’re really not. They know just as much about the game and how to play it as you do. Some are more experienced than others, but most of them know exactly how to keep us wrapped around their fingers. And they barely have to try! Taking forever to respond to our texts, blatantly flirting with another girl right in front of you, or being short in response can literally drive us all nuts. But instead of letting yourself be subject to this tomfoolery, play with them right back!

First of all, you need to know what you want. This is always the hardest part, but once you’ve figured it out, life with boys can be SO much easier. If you don’t want a relationship, you don’t necessarily have to be a nun, you can have just as much fun. Just be careful you aren’t stepping over boundaries or putting yourself out there too much.

 

While being in college, you are bound to end up with someone who has skeletons in their closet, but frankly if all’s been said and done with you shouldn’t even worry. The past is in the past and it should stay there. If the guy is claiming himself to be single and available, his past flings shouldn’t keep showing up in his life. That being said, before you pursue an endeavor, do a little research and see if he’s actually on the market. Facebook, Twitter, and the good ole grapevine are the most useful tools in this aspect. Avoid some sticky drama and do the work. After you got the green light, turn up the flirting and get to know him. Forget the rules about waiting 24 hours to text or following some kind of procedure, do what you want and BE YOU! Ask him to grab lunch or spend time together at a party, tag team up for beer pong or tear him apart at rage cage. And who knows where the night may lead!

If you’re looking for a relationship this may get a bit trickier. Finding that yin to your yang in college is not an easy feat, but when you do it’s truly something special. Finding someone who will commit to you at such a busy, life-changing, and social time is nothing to take for granted. That being said, if you’re interested in a guy and you are vibing on levels far beyond physical, put yourself out there and make your feelings known. If you feel this strongly and he’s reciprocating, chances are he feels the same way about you.

Don’t be shy; this is the time in our lives that we should be learning how to take initiative and control. If things crash and burn, remember that dating in college it’s all a learning experience and sometimes it’s just not meant to be. Your life isn’t over; there’s thousands of other eligible bachelors waiting, and hey – Mr. “Next Guy” could already be right in front of you!

Taylor is currently a senior at the University of California, at San Diego where she is studying for a BA in Communication Studies. She is the Co-Correspondent of the HC UCSD chapter, and also a member of the lovely Alpha Omicron Pi, Lambda Iota chapter. While she isn't busy reading 50 pages every day for her communication classes, she enjoys reading a plethora of other types of books (especially anything by Malcolm Gladwell!). Other interests include eating Gouda-grilled cheese sandwiches, drinking lots and lots of tea, attending concerts, watching Parks and Recreation, and attempting to buy every beauty product that Ulta and Sephora can offer. She has also been self-proclaimed as Katy Perry's #1 fan #katycat4life.