Dating for success in college
Posted on Jun 11, 2012 in News
You’re not in high school anymore (Thank God, right?)
You’re finally away from home, embracing your newfound freedom and eyeing that hottie down the hall.
You may be wondering, is dating really that much different in college?
First off, let me say yes it’s completely different, but “dating” itself is rare if not completely obsolete. Dating is expensive and chances are that kids in college are either waiting tables or working retail.
So unfortunately, this is how “dating” usually plays out: Boy meets girl, they hit it off, they make out drunkenly, things get awkward and fizzle out, and they repeat it the next weekend.
It sucks, but you have to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince or princess, right?
If you’ve already found your Mr. or Ms. Right and you’re bringing them to college with you, take warning. Your friends are going to be going out, and long-distance can be really hard. I’m not telling you what to do, but you only go to college once.
Unless you can honestly see yourself marrying this person, there’s no point in dealing with drama just because you went to a party with your friends. You will always regret the nights you stayed in, but you’ll never regret the nights you went out.
You’re only young once, so live it up!
Oh, and let me clarify by saying that I don’t condone sleeping around, I’m just an advocate of keeping your options open so that when you do decide to settle down, it’s with an awesome person.
Don’t get discouraged, because there are amazing people in college that will teach you so much about yourself and have qualities you never even knew you wanted in someone.
Keep your eyes open, because you may find a keeper during your time at UAB.
If I had to give you any final advice about dating in college, I’d say to be yourself, never hookup with someone in your dorm, don’t settle, always give the nice guy the benefit of the doubt, oh, and always read my column. 
Jaime Ritter
Staff Writer
jritter@uab.edu
As an incoming freshman, I shall surely take heed!