I can’t believe I am writing my last column ever.

For three solid semesters I have written a dating-related column for “The Creightonian.” I don’t even really know how it got started in the first place. My friend basically texted me and said that I was going to write a dating column for “The Creightonian” and I should have my first one done by Monday at 5 p.m. I thought he had been joking until Monday at 5:30 p.m. and he called me asking where my column was. As my new editor, he was really disappointed in me that it wasn’t in yet.

Three semesters later, I am still writing this column.

I feel like most of your parents did when you all were first going off to college as a freshman. I remember when I was packing, my mom and dad would rush in and out of my room and give me more opinions on life and tid-bits of advice like “don’t eat the school pizza for every meal or you’ll gain the freshman 15,” (oops, should’ve listened) or “find a quiet place to study,” and my mom’s favorite, “make smart choices.”

I remember distinctly on this August day my parents told me very seriously “don’t drive on ice.” All I could think was, it’s still summer-what ice? and  I’m going to college two hours from home. It’s not like I’m from California and have no experience with ice. The weather will be exactly the same.

When I went to my best friend’s house to say goodbye to her parents before heading to Omaha, her dad told me three important rules to live by: don’t skip class, don’t get pregnant and don’t get arrested. I actually think of his words at least once a week and every time I see him, I remind him how I live by his words of advice.

So here I am, about to release all of you as I go into the “real-world” and I want to give you as many last second thoughts on dating as possible.

Over the last three semesters, I have discussed everything from first date ideas to texting faux pas to pick-up lines. I have compared dating to kitchen appliances and even Christmas trees. But there is still so much to talk about!

Feel free to go on dates. Going on a date here or there might seem like a big deal to some people, but one date does not equal a relationship. So have some fun, ask someone  for the pleasure of their company for a night, and if you don’t connect, understand that you don’t have to take things any further.

When you are on said first dates, watch how the person you are on a date with treats the waiter — or a Burger King cashier if anyone remembers my first column ever. I know this is such “mom” advice to give, but it’s so true. If someone is going to yell at a waitress who is a perfect stranger, what will keep them from yelling at you that way when you are dating?

Even if they take you to a swanky restaurant and the waiter accidently spills a drink on the table, there is no reason to get so steamed that someone needs to yell and scream about it. *NSYNC said it best when they stated “It doesn’t matter ‘bout the car I drive or what I wear around my neck/All that matters is that you recognize that it’s just about respect.”

Don’t be overly suspicious of the person you are dating. Not trusting someone will hurt your relationship; so do not confront someone about your suspicions unless you truly feel something big is going on.

For example, I’m suspicious that the people that I play “Words with Friends” or “Draw Something” with only play me back when they’re sitting on the toilet, but I’ve never actually asked anyone about this, because I know it will just make me look absurd.

Take a hint from Keith Urban and make sure that it’s not your style to kiss and tell. Creighton is small enough that things get spread around in a flash anyway.

If you hook up with someone on Thursday night, will people be discussing it Friday morning on the mall? Do girls taking group pictures strike the “skinny arm” pose? The answer to both questions is yes, almost every time. So when people are talking about the hook up that you had last night, make sure that they didn’t hear it from you.

Four years may seem like a lot, but there definitely isn’t time to waste in college. If you like someone, say it. If you’re in a dud of a relationship, get out.

Trust your friends, but don’t believe what a random person in a bar says. I know there is a lot of hear-say on this campus, and people might approach you when and go all Ferris Bueller on you saying something like “You know you’re the other woman right? My best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with this girl who saw him on a date with someone at 31 Flavors last night. I guess their relationship is pretty serious.”

You can’t believe the rumors you hear on campus. Ask the person you’re dating outright what’s going on. When it comes down to it, trust your own gut and ask for opinions from your closest friends.

If they think a girl is a witch, maybe you should think twice about dating her exclusively. But don’t dump her just because some rando at a bar told you to.

It’s college. Have fun. Don’t always be tied down in a serious relationship. You have the rest of your life for that.

Let’s be real. I don’t actually give dating advice per se, I just give my commentary on dating. I’m not really sure why anyone has read my columns, but a big thanks to everyone who has ever read these ramblings. It’s been a really fun experience.

I’ll let you know if a movie ever gets made out of these columns. It’ll be like Sex and the City but with a more Creighton-appropriate title like “Hand-holding and the Residence Halls” (but only before 2 AM on weekends of course.)

Thanks again for reading and bearing with my bizarre sense of humor! It’s been a truly wonderful three semesters.