The vast and rocky relationship climate, soaked with social networking sites, random hook ups, and artful scheming, has not prepared us for the realities of kismet, chemically-charged romance. College students, unassumingly, walking the line of blissful connection or epic mess, resting on the wolf-bitten heels of physical attraction. Is there any way to combat the constant misjudgment?

Be honest with yourself. To avoid critical bashing for peers, college students constantly say they are attracted to personalities and veritable astuteness, yet we all know that we like what we see, and some research proves that we like what we smell. Yes, admitting this shallowness may make you seem like a dilettante in the love arena, but being honest will prevent future bumps in the road.

Leading us to the next portion of the dealing with love-at-first-sight, taking the time to get familiar with your potential partner. When Oscar Hammerstein wrote the lyrics to “Getting To Know You,” from the musical The King and I, he probably had a physical attraction crash and burn in mind. True, the song was intended for a teacher to sing to new students, but an intense love-at-first-sight relationship should be approached in the same manner. Countless times, campus dwellers get involved with each other, and then realize, most of the time -- very quickly, that they are utterly disgusted or repulsed by certain aspects of the person they are involved with. The person may send your pulse skyrocketing through the roof, but do want to deal with that annoying [insert issue here] for the next couple of weeks or months? I vote no, for anything bothersome and irritating.

Good sex does not always equal longevity. This is the killer, especially for guys. Mark*, a sophomore at Boston University, and a dear friend, tells me about the soul-crumbling, sweaty, absolutely carnal sex he has with a girl who lives down the hall from him. The burning reality is he cannot stand this girl, he picks fights for the hot sex, when his senses finally kick in, and he feels his morals shredding to pieces – he thinks of the explosive orgasms during their sessions, and hopes, eventually, he will be able to deal with all of her imperfections. Poor Mark is a victim; and he will kick himself later when the whole thing explodes like bad fifth grade model volcano. Save yourself, don’t get victimized by good sex. All parts of the relationship should, potentially, function like a well-oiled machine – it’s not worth it, if you find yourself scraping to hold on because of sex.

Experiencing "love at first sight" is usually a fun, kooky, and a lovely roller coaster ride -- just be cautious. L-O-V-E is not always in every hot spark you feel for someone.    

*Names were changed