Hooking Up? Here Are 7 Tips To Make Sure You're Always Safe

University can be an extremely liberating time. In addition to living on your own and making new friends, it's also the perfect time to explore your sexuality, meet a wealth of interesting people, and learn more about your personal preferences in the bedroom. But regardless of how, when, or with whom you're hooking up, you always want to make sure you're being safe — on all fronts — and that includes everything from being in constant communication with your friends to always carrying your own protection.

You should feel free and empowered to (consensually) hook up how you like, whether it's a dance-floor kiss or having a friend with benefits. But doing so with complete reckless abandon can easily spell trouble, and understanding how to safely hook up with someone is vital, not just for your sake, but for the sake of your sexual partners, too. Keep reading for seven must-know tips for hooking up safely in college and beyond.

— Additional reporting by Theresa Massony

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