A new study from Ball State University is going to have parents of high school students, and the students themselves, quite upset and worried. According to the study, 81.3 percent of 305 high school counselors reported that their schools do not have any sort of protocol or procedure for handling reports of adolescent dating violence, which is any psychological, emotional,  sexual, or physical violence that occurs within a dating relationship.

Even more upsetting is that 90 percent of the counselors who were interviewed reported that they had not been trained in how to assist victims of adolescent dating violence within the past two years. Forty-three percent of the counselors said this lack of training was the main barrier that kept them from being able to help victims of this form of abuse. However, 61 percent of the counselors said they had indeed assisted victims of adolescent dating violence in the past two years, even though they did not have any training in the issue. Read the rest of this entry »

Summer time is a great time to fall in love. Or at least to have a fun summer fling. But, let’s be honest, following the same dating pattern year round can get kind of boring. Who really wants to meet up for dinner, go see a movie, and then call it a night every season of the year? Not this girl, that’s for sure. So here are some fun, summery date ideas that you can try out this season to keep your love life from getting stale.

1. Show off your inner American Idol. Karaoke bars are a lot of fun, especially if you actually get up and perform. However, even if you don’t perform, this is a fun date because you can judge others on their abilities. Grab your date and some extra bravery and head on out to a local karaoke groove session.

2. Go for a picnic in the park. Pack your own lunches and find a shady spot under a tree in your favorite park. Take along your favorite childhood board game and show your date how awesome you are at Monopoly or Chutes and Ladders. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s almost here: Valentine’s Day! Somehow, this day has evolved from the ancient stories about a monk who married couples during a time when marriage was illegal to becoming a pink- and heart-filled day that pressures people in relationship to declare their love and devotion for their significant other.

Personally, I love V-Day, but I do recognize that it has gotten a little out of hand and can leave many people wondering: How should I celebrate this day if I have only been with my significant other for a week/a month/a year, etc.?

Well, if you need tips for the proper Valentine’s Day Celebration, based on the length of your relationship, then look no further. You have come to the right place.

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Falling in love is great! There are so many great moments: your first kiss, the first time you introduce him/her to your friends, the first time you meet his/her parents, and the moment when you get a Facebook notification that he/she wants you to confirm your relationship.

Sadly though, most relationships do come to an end at some time. And then come the difficult questions: Should you untag yourself from every picture of the two of you? Should you unfriend him/her? Is it okay to break up with him/her by changing your relationship status to single without telling him/her first? Welcome to the drama that is Facebook relationships.

Luckily, 200 Boston teens recently got together to discuss this sticky subject during a “healthy breakups” one-day conference that was sponsored by the Boston Public Health Commission.

“No one talks to young people about this aspect of relationships,” said one of the conference organizers, Nicole Daley. “We’re here to change that.”

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Maybe your last date didn’t go so well, or maybe he never called back. Want to know why? Read these most common pet peeves men just can’t stand.

She won’t quit texting her friends: Men doubt that you’re interested  in them when you’re constantly looking down at your phone. Plus, it shows that you lack table manners.

She expects a free meal right off the bat: Men almost always prefer to pay, but a little appreciation shows that he’s more than just a meal ticket.

She talks about her ex-boyfriends: Your date assumes that not only are you hung up on your ex, but that you are constantly criticizing. If the topic comes up, be honest about your past relationships, but keep it short and sweet.

She talks about her insecurities: There’s no point in making your flaws obvious because guys won’t notice it off hand. Don’t talk about your weight or how bad your hair looks; men just don’t care. Plus, it makes you look superficial, and you will most likely attract the shallow types.

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Are you staring at the phone waiting for her to text you back? If the first date was a disaster, that’s no surprise. Maybe you thought it went well, but if you took part in these common turn-offs for women, then she’s probably already forgotten about you.

Don’t want to make the same mistake twice? Avoid these annoying habits, so that your next first date will go better.

He brags the whole time: Leave your ego at home. She doesn’t need you to tell her how much you bench or how much you make in a year. It means a lot more when she finds out for herself.

He doesn’t offer to pay: It shows that chivalry is still alive when you offer to pay. If you insist on picking up the tab, it means that her company is at the very least worth a steak dinner.

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Spending all summer away from your college boyfriend or girlfriend? Whether it be studying abroad or going home to family, you may have doubts about whether or not your relationship can last those agonizing three months. Though challenging, if you can stick it out through the summer, your trust in each other will grow exponentially.

If you want to make it work, read these tips on how stay close, even if your miles away:

Skype: It’s free to set up, and all you need is an Internet connection and a web cam. Talking on the phone isn’t enough. Face-to-face interaction through Skype will give you a closeness you can’t get with texts and emails.

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How many popular chick-flicks today focus on a happy couple meeting in college, falling in love, and living happily ever after? I have to admit, the majority of my favorite movies have this exact plot line. So, is it any wonder that many students come to college expecting to learn the skills for their future jobs, have a lot of fun, and meet the person of their dreams?

Unfortunately, finding love on a college campus is a little harder than they show on the cinema screen. However, it is not impossible. Follow these tips to find love on a college campus.

Look for love in the right places. Sure, you might meet someone special in a bar, but what are you likely to have in common (except a shared love of tequila, perhaps)? Instead, try to look for someone who shares a similar interest with you. You could join a club or an organization on campus whose members share a passion. If you meet someone in this setting, you will have something to talk about besides which alcohol tastes the best mixed with Coke. Read the rest of this entry »

“Isn’t it sad that we have sex with a guy before we consider dating him?”

One of my friends recently asked me this question. We preceded to discuss it, and determined that, although the random hook-up can be fun, we would prefer to be in a relationship. As it turns out, we are not alone.

A recent study at James Madison University found that college students have twice as many hook-ups as actual dates. And, like my friend and I, most students, male and female, preferred a traditional date to the random hook-up.

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I recently conducted a survey of 100 students concerning the common dating practices of college students who live in the South and Midwest. Here’s what I found out:

1. Of these 100 students, 81 percent believe that the male should ask out the female on a first date and pay for the entire date. Respondents had differing views of what a first date should entail, but most agreed that it should be fun, simple, and not too serious. Basically, they felt that a first date should be an opportunity to get to know the other person better in a low key, fun setting. Activities recommended were dinner and a movie, attending sports games, and coffee or cocktails, depending on the age of the couple. Read the rest of this entry »