This is a guest post by SpyTown.com. SpyTown’s Security Camera Systems make you feel safe knowing you’re armed with the camera equipment that will keep you as secure as possible!

College is one of the few times in your life when you’ll be surrounded with a large group of people all around your same age, in a similar life situation, and facing the same stresses and triumphs. It’s no wonder why college is a great time to embrace the social aspect of college and go on a few dates here and there, with an emphasis on dating within your comfort zone, and always feeling safe with your date. We’re not your parents, and we’re not here to preach to you, but all of us at SpyTown.com Home Security Cameras know a thing or two about safety and security, and we want your college days to be only safe, happy, and memorable!

Meet Up.

It’s always nice to have a date pick you up, but for the first and second dates where you’re just getting to know him, ask him to meet you for your date. This way, you’ll have your own car in case you need to make an early exit, or just simply don’t feel comfortable with your date. There’s no reason to feel “bad” if you aren’t comfortable – safety should always be your first concern, and your instincts are usually right on!

Keep It Public.

So that guy in your English class has finally asked you out, and after two months of sitting behind him every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, you feel you know him pretty well. Still, it’s important to make those first few dates public to keep your comfort level up and feel safe knowing that you’re in the public eye. Go to a local coffee shop, restaurant, movie theater, museum, college sporting event, or local concert. This helps you feel secure, and allows you to get to know the other person in an environment with multiple stimulations, so you’ll (hopefully!) never be at a loss of words.

Spill The Details.

You might not want to tell your friends every detail of your dates, but you should definitely tell them where you’re headed. If he surprises you with a new location, send at least one friend a quick, discreet text message to let them know where you are. Taking a moment to keep them informed not only increases your connection with them, but also makes sure people you care about are aware of your
location. You can then simply enjoy your date and have fun!

Most college dates go off without too much of a hitch, but taking a few safety precautions keeps you in control of your own safety and helps prevent the unthinkable from happening. If you’re not comfortable with your date, make a polite exit – there’s nothing wrong with suddenly having a stomach ache!

Image by ChrisB in SEA

These mixed drinks are always very popular among the ladies at our house:

Mind Eraser

2 ounces Vodka, 2 ounces Kahlua, 2 ounces Tonic water
In a rocks glass pour vodka, the Kahlua and then the tonic water. Serve with a straw.

Limona Corona

16 ounces Corona (one bottle), 1 ounces Bacardi Limon
Open Corona. Fill the empty space in the neck in the bottle with rum. Plug the bottle with your thumb or the palm of your hand. Turn the bottle upside-down so the rum and beer mix. Return bottle rightside-up. Drink.

110 in the shade

16 ounces Lager beer (one bottle), 1.5 ounces Tequila
Drop shooter in glass. Fill with beer

Snake Bite

8 ounces Lager (1/2 bottle), 8 ounces sweet or dry Cider
Pour ingredients into a pint glass. Drink. Fall over.

Captain Do

1 ounces spiced rum (e.g., Captain Morgan’s), 20 ounces Mountain Dew (a little more than a can and a half)
Put shot in then add soda.

Red Death #2

Absolute Vodka, Southern Comfort, Amaretto, Sloe gin, Triple sec, Orange juice
Pour all the ingredients in mixing glass with ice. Shake and strain into shot glasses.

Dew-Driver

2 ounces vodka, Mountain Dew, ice
Fill glass with ice add vodka and Mountain Dew.

Tip: 1 shot is about equal to 1 ounce

Remember: When mixing drinks don’t buy the good stuff since it will not make too much of a difference. Save your money for when you are drinking drinks straight up.

Here are some Halloween costume ideas for lazy people who haven’t come up with their own yet:

A classic zombie:

Photo by Bahman.

A Starbucks zombie:

Photo by Laughing Squid

Jack & Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas:

Photo by Jesse Draper

Something sacrilegious:

Photo by dogseat

On a similar note, an angle:

Photo by just.K

Something messed up:

Photo by huberton

A man dressed up as a women dressed up a a witch?

Photo by Mira Dee

A man being gross and weird:

Photo by ilmungo

If you’re really pregnant:

Photo by koali

A cube-man:

Photo by mecredis

A walking iPod commercial:

Photo by Mai Le

If all else fails, just pick anything and make it hot, like these librarian costumes from Target (seriously!):

Photos by Librarian Avenger

I’m personally going as something hot, how about you?