How to score a date on campus
by Nicholas Schreiber
The first step to getting a date on campus is simply to be on campus. This is a rather easy task when you know where to look. Mount Royal University is not only a hub of activity for young people, but a vibrant social scene with many activities going on that offer the opportunity to meet new people.
“There are literally hundreds of ways to meet new people here,” says Janet Miller of Student Counseling Services.
“Look around at the people in your classes: make eye contact, smile, make connections. Help someone out. Volunteer or join a group on campus. There are intramural sports teams, program-specific clubs, alumni service groups and tons of opportunities around our centennial event.”
One of the most popular student hangouts is the campus bar, the Liberty Lounge. Every Tuesday is student night, which means lots of students and the potential for a great party. The students’ association has made finding events as easy as possible for students by posting a schedule on their website, SAMRU.ca.
No matter what venue you choose, confidence is always your greatest ally. “Don’t let fear hold you back. While it might be embarrassing to ask someone out and have them turn you down, it is usually not a fatal experience,” says Miller.
“If you give in to fear it will hold you hostage.” Even if you’ve been unsuccessful in the past, Miller reminds us that, “Being single can be awesome too. A partner might be something that you want, but not something that you need.”
Some students consider the gym to be a great place to meet new people, although this isn’t a sentiment shared by the entire student population. “I don’t like the gym,” says Nicole Saxton, 22. “I find that half the people go to work out and the other half goes for the showy aspect of the gym.
“Being in school is a really great way to meet people though.”
The best advice is to stick to social functions, if only to avoid getting a bad reputation. Bad dates can certainly lead to awkward moments on campus. Miller suggests avoiding movies and bars where conversation can be difficult, and where you may run into other friends or ex- partners, because “this will take away from the date feeling.”
A good date would be one that involves time to talk and get to know one another, but where there is also “something else going on.” Getting a date anywhere, on or off campus, may be difficult. No matter what, you will never get a result if you don’t go out and give it your best shot.
If you never give up, you’ll eventually be successful. Miller offers a key point of advice: “Have a really great set of friends around you and stay connected to those friends even when you begin to date. They will be the ones who are still there if it doesn’t work out.”
Get noticed amongst a sea of Cougars
by Aaron Chatha
GOOD GROOMING
Don’t look like you’re going to a wedding. It’s ridiculous: you’re at school, your primary reason for being here should be to learn things. But at the same time, don’t look like you just rolled out of bed. Take some time in the morn- ing, have a shower, do your hair, apply your make-up. Don’t wear shabby clothes; wear something nice but comfortable. If you’re unsure, you can’t go wrong with business casual. You want to look good when approaching a poten- tial love connection.
BE CONFIDENT, BE YOURSELF
Asking someone out is a big deal. But the important thing is to make eye contact and sound good about yourself. Ask them out yourself, don’t ask a friend to do it for you. You’re in university now. Be relaxed. Don’t be afraid of silence. It falls naturally in any conversation, don’t feel pressed to talk or every silence becomes uncomfortable. You’re someone worth going out with. If you don’t believe that, you can’t expect anyone else to.
BE A FRIEND
It’s intimidating to have a stranger ask you out. So take the time to become his or her friend. A key thing to remember is to in- troduce yourself early. Sit next to them in class or go up to them when it’s over. Talk about what happened, what you don’t get, what you found interesting. You don’t want to be sitting next to someone in the thirteenth week still waiting for the oppor- tunity to make an approach.
ASK THEM OUT ONE-ON-ONE
Don’t ask them out in front of their friends. And don’t just blurt it out. Pull them aside, catch them when their alone, and engage them in conversa- tion. This will bring down barri- ers and make a yes more likely. Slip it into the conversation and you’re golden. It’s always better in person — texts and Facebook may work every now and then, but they’re awfully impersonal.
DON’T BE AFRAID
It’s entirely possible that he or she may say no. It’s not that they don’t like you (OK, maybe it is) but maybe they don’t believe you’re compatible. Maybe it’s true. Just remember to handle yourself with grace, perhaps ask if you can still be friends, and move on. As they say, there are plenty of other fish in the sea. And maybe one or two in that GNED class.