In recent years, casual dating or "hookups" as most people like to call them, has become cemented into the college lifestyle.

Relationships can get messy in college, and when you first arrive most people are just trying to figure out what they're eating for breakfast the next day or where the next party is being thrown on the weekend. Casual dating is something most college students will or have tried, and honestly it allows us to figure out who we are in some odd way.

Now I'm not saying you should be doing this well into your 30's, while you still live at your mother's house.. that's just sad and depressing. However, if you're still in college and feel your not quite ready for such a large commitment, I recommend this is the path for you.

Even if it doesn't lead you to the "one" maybe it will lead you onto your next monogamous relationship, at least that's the plan...right? Anyway let's get to these 4 tips if you want to casually date in college.

1. Your not sure whether or not this is a one night stand

This is probably the most difficult part to figure out while casually dating. Things escalate quickly with the person you've had your eye on all night and before you know it your waking up to them the next morning. Where do you go from here you ask? It all depends on how you felt the next morning. The thing is with casual dating either person can decide whether or not it's for one night or not so just hope your not the one left hanging the next day if you want something more.

2. Texting can either make or break you if your casually dating

Anyone who's ever done casual dating knows while texting is essential, it can be the enemy as well. The mind games, the use of grammar in texting, the awkwardness of flirting over text, it's all enough to drive a person crazy. I for one wish smartphones never existed and you still had to call the house phone to see someone, it was a much simpler time then. Unfortunately now you have to become a master of texting in order to casually date, so prepare yourself is my advice to you.

3. If you meet someone you end up liking how do you spend more time with them

This is the million dollar question everyone in college wants to know. What do you ask someone to do with you when you've just met them? For starters don't ask to come over and watch Netflix in your cluttered dorm room the day you meet them, it screams desperation. Ask them to grab coffee, lunch, even just to meet up at the library is more acceptable than Netflix and chill. Just start off slow and don't panic you'll see them again if the feeling is mutual.

4. Should you use apps such as Tinder

The answer to this is, your probably better off just meeting people through everyday occurrences. Casually dating in the digital world can be stressful enough so why waste your time using an app where most people are just looking to make you their next punch line.

Whether or not your into casual dating or not it's something that is apart of most people's lives in their 20's. So try to find that special person and maybe a casual cup of coffee with someone you noticed in your biology class that one semester can be your next partner... or just the next one before your next relationship.