By:Maya Cantave

Dating in general is never easy, but maintaining a successful relationship in college is almost a myth because our generation has embraced the hookup-culture.

A hook-up can anything from kissing to sex. Some people try to find love this way but are unsuccessful.

Here is some advice you may have never received about dating in college:

Taking risks on the people you date, places you go and activities you do when dating can be a real eye opener. What you wanted might not be what is actually right for you. To take a risk, first take a step out of your comfort zone. Date someone you wouldn’t normally date. Sometimes the unexpected can be amazing.

Don’t rush; you should date at a slower pace. Take your time. You have plenty of time to find someone. Just because your friend has a relationship doesn’t mean you need to have one too. You should move at a pace that you want. Don’t rush anything until you are absolutely certain you are ready.

Fail. Fail. Fail. Try again. Don’t settle for anything less than what you deserve. There are plenty of people in the world and plenty of time to find the love of your life. For most people, the first person you date most likely will not be the person you spend your life with. Date. Find someone that you are comfortable around and who is on the same page as you.

Be yourself—this is a major life lesson when it comes to dating. You do not need to be someone you’re not. Find someone who likes you for you, not what they can do for you. You don’t need to change for anyone. If you don’t find anyone now you will eventually. Further, if someone wants you to change, they are not worth it.

Hook-ups are not relationships. Again, hook-ups are not relationships. This cannot be stressed enough. The best advice is to clarify before you go too far or before someone gets his or her feelings hurt.

Embrace study dates. Just about everyone in college is on the same financial scale as you. Everyone is broke. With study dates, you can still be together while getting some work done. The reason you are here is for school; make the most of it while spending time together.

Here are some things to avoid when dating:

Relying too much on your senses. If something seems off or if someone is becoming too close too soon, get out of there. Better to be safe than sorry.

The most essential lesson to learn when dating is to always trust your gut. Your gut is life’s way of protecting you. Your gut will not steer you wrong. If something doesn’t feel right, keep your distance and remove yourself from the situation.

Always remember no means no—no matter what. If you do not agree to something, it is not consensual. You have a right to decide. The decision is always in your hands.

College is a great way to meet people. This is the time in your life when you are trying to find yourself and what you like.

Walker Patterson, junior psychology major, explains his experience with dating in college.

“College helped me shape my way of what I really wanted to know and what I really wanted out of a relationship and allowed me to find that in a person” Patterson said.

It is possible to find love in college. All you have to do is go out there and find it.