1. Consider getting vaccinated for HPV

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually-transmitted disease that can be easily prevented with a vaccination. Because HPV can equally infect men AND women, the virus is not prevalent in individuals of one gender or sexuality, and so the only guarantee for your safety is to either stay celibate or to protect yourself with the Gardasil vaccine.

Still not convinced? HPV is a nuisance on its own, but if it doesn't clear out of your system, it can later manifest in your body as genital warts or as cervical, vaginal, vulvar, or anal cancer. If that doesn't scare you, well…consider yourself warned.

2. Don't have sex in fraternity or sorority houses

Greek organizations are so tightly-knit that a drunken hookup with a brother or sister will not remain a secret for long. Your privacy is seriously compromised in these houses— you just might have unexpected visitors come in and crash the party. And it might not always be that they accidentally walk in. In frat houses especially, you need to be concerned about sexual assault and exploitation through photos and videos.

3. If you've got an STI, let your partner know

Plain and simple: if you've been diagnosed with an STD of ANY KIND—curable or not—your sexual partner deserves to know about it. It doesn't matter if you're getting with a one-time fling or if you're in a committed relationship; every person you encounter sexually should be made aware of any illnesses you have and any risks that they can contract these diseases. And yes, oral herpes (cold sores) counts as an STI, too. After all, you wouldn't be too thrilled to learn that your one-night-stand passed on a nasty case of genital warts or sores to you, or even worse, a condition as serious as HIV.

4. Get tested

Speaking of STDs, if you're sexually-active and have had multiple partners (or are with one partner currently who has had multiple partners), you should have been screened for STDs by now. Many colleges and universities offer free testing and free methods of protection throughout the semester, so there's no reason why you shouldn't take advantage of these resources. And although it may be awkward, have a talk with your long-term partner about their sexual history—it's better to play it safe than to jeopardize your health or even your life.

5. Keep your own stash of condoms

It doesn't matter if you're a guy or a girl. If you plan on having sex with men, you NEED to have condoms available to you, and there's no better way to guarantee this than by carrying them yourself. Just a few condoms are all you need to have on you at one time. You can easily slide them into your purse, your wallet, or even in your back pocket when you go out for the night. You can't always predict when you'll find yourself in bed with someone, so it's better to always have access to protection. Plus, some guys are disturbed enough to poke holes in their condoms (or, of course, accidentally tear them in some way), so you'll feel more at ease and be able to enjoy the sex more if you know you've got it covered.

6. Don't have drunk sex

The best way to avoid sexual assault and rape is to not put yourself in compromising situations (when you can help it). One such situation is one where you may be too intoxicated to consent to sex or to refuse unwanted advances. You could even black out and not remember the night's events only to wake up with your clothes shredded and your body sore and bleeding from God-knows-what. If you're feeling even a little bit out-of-control, have some trusted friends help you get home safely and out of a drunken hookup.

7. Create boundaries for yourself

Don't let anyone sway you into doing something you aren't comfortable with. If your gut is telling you not to hook up with that guy from the bar, don't let him persuade you to sleep with him no matter how persistent he is. And if you're in bed with someone and they try to do something that ventures way beyond your comfort zone, you have every right to tell your partner that you're not into it and won't let it happen. Your limits are non-negotiable and need to be respected at all times.

8. Avoid men who refuse to wear condoms (and women who refuse to let you wear them)

Found a girl who's cute and sweet, but has a serious case of baby fever that she says she secretly wants to honor? Run, run for the hills. Got a man who doesn't "believe" in the efficacy of condoms or who doesn't wear them because he only likes "going in raw?" Leave him hanging, honey. College is chaotic enough without the stress of an unplanned pregnancy or even just the scare of one.

9. Don't push yourself too far

If you've always been fairly vanilla with your sexual exploits, you'll need to ease into higher-intensity activities over time. Different types of sex, sex positions, and even experimenting with your sexuality all involve you stepping beyond your comfort zone to challenge yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally. There's no reason why you should rush and try to accomplish these goals all in one night. To maximize your pleasure and prevent injury, it's important that you slow down and only move as fast as you can handle.

10. Be careful when you decide to go home with someone

So you chatted up a cutie by the keg and you're about to change gears and head straight for his place. That's great and all, but before you say yes, consider these points: do they live on- or off-campus? Do you know how to get home from where you're going? How late is it (in case you leave early and have to find your own way back)? Do they have roommates that you might run into? How intoxicated are the two of you? Can you definitely give clear and confident consent when you need to? Don't jump into any sexual situation without being able to answer ALL of these questions.

11. Think twice about drinking that free drink

Date rape is more prevalent on college campuses in our country than anyone has ever wanted to imagine. And what students don't realize is that alcohol on its own— untainted by Rohypnol, Ketamine, or HTC— is the most widely-used date rape drug. At a party or at the bars, it's all too easy to accept free drinks from strangers; we're flattered that they're checking us out and thrilled that we don't have to pay for our own fun. But if you've got a bad feeling about the person you're receiving them from, put the glass down once they walk away. Say you hate whatever kind of drink they got you. Be honest and say you can't drink anymore that night (or exaggerate how drunk you are). Do whatever it takes to get yourself out of that danger area.

12. Keep your sex toys clean

If you're using sex toys during intercourse, it's highly recommended that you limit a single toy's use to only one bodily orifice. Don't insert into your mouth, for example, what you just had inside of your (or your partner's) anus. Cross-contamination of your sex toys could make them breeding grounds for dangerous bacteria that just might give you an STD or another nasty disease. Put condoms on your dildos to keep the toys themselves clean, but always sterilize them post-sex with a sex toy-friendly solution or by running them through the dishwasher. And of course, don't share your sex toys with anyone other than your partner.

13. Talk to your doctor about birth control

There are so many options for birth control today that there's bound to be one that appeals to you. Your procedure can be as invasive as getting an intrauterine device (IUD) implanted in your uterine walls or as simple as taking a daily pill or applying a patch every week. It's best that you consult your physician for their advice on how to choose a birth control method that's most ideal for your body. You can even take birth control in some form to lighten your periods and lessen the pain from menstrual cramps. Call your doctor well before you decide to be sexually active to get your safety precautions squared away.