Don’t you miss those grade school days, when every person in your class had to put a hand-addressed Valentine in your red-paper-pasted box? Ah, those were the days. If you think Valentine’s Day is only reserved for long-term couples who plan for months for this day, think again.
Landing a date with your class crush or the cutie who works at the Starbucks on-campus is even easier than you think. If you have your eye on someone and want to make it happen with them on that fateful V-day, here are 6 foolproof tips for shooting your shot.
1. Start setting up your expectations
If you have your sights set on a certain valentine, show them that you’re open to more than just a weekend hookup or casual conversation in class. Ask your potential boo if they have plans for Valentine’s Day weekend *without* mentioning Valentine’s Day. This shows you’re open to hanging out but takes away some of the pressure.
2. Get a group together
The solo-date can be terrifying if you’re on it with someone you don’t know that well (seriously, any restaurant you go to will be full of people who ARE in love). Try grabbing your friend group and their friend group for an outing all together. A karaoke bar or horror movie outing could be the perfect way to get closer in a group setting. Single friends, unite!
Related: 7 Romantic Valentine’s Day Ideas
3. Get set up
Asking your friends to set you up can be a little risky, but it can be worth the reward. Go ahead and ask your friends or sorority sisters if they know any eligible people who would like to meet up on a day that just so happens to be the 14th. It could be a story for the grandchildren.
4. Be open and confident
Use the weekend before to get out and mingle! Dating expert and publisher of OnlineDatingMagazine.com, Joe Tracy, advises to simply “be out there.” He says that the best way to get asked out is to “be self-confident and always look your best. Smile at people and say ‘hello’ when you pass them on campus or off.” Hit up the spots where you know your crush will be hanging out, or better yet, make plans to meet up with them. If you take the initiative first, they may surprise you by asking you out for Saturday.
5. Invite a friend out
Maybe you don’t see your best friend as a romantic option, but they could be a ton of fun. Whether it’s a friendly date filled with fun activities or a friendship turned into something more, it’s a way to get to know them better and see if there’s potential there or not.
6. Just ask them out!
At the end of the day, being forward and blunt with what you want can be the best way to go about life. They might appreciate the confidence in asking them out and even feel the same.
Well, what are you waiting for? Go pick out your outfit, get a heart-design manicure and slap a picture of Cupid up on your dorm room door. You can officially get in the spirit because you’ll have a date for the big day. And if you don’t? Take yourself out on a date because self-love comes first, TBH.