Everyone thinks parties are the go-to spot for meeting guys at college, but you don’t have to attend every frat party to find the man of your dreams (and it’s unclear if it would lead to that, anyway!).
When you first arrive on campus, it seems so easy to meet a future man. They’re everywhere. And cute. But before you can set up Sunday lunch dates, first you have to talk to him.
Last year you scoped out the usual campus guy-hunting spots: the dorm, the library, in classes. You found a few cuties, but nothing to write home about. Plus, after a while, you start to see the same guys in the library or at breakfast in the dining hall each week, and then you wonder where all the cute, single guys you could have sworn existed on your campus went.
Looking for some new boys to meet to start the fall semester on the right track? Here are five often-overlooked places to meet guys on campus, and some tips to initiate conversation.
Instead of: The Dorm Lounge
Try: The Laundry Room
Sure you’ve seen him walking through the dorm halls every day, but he’s always with his group of rowdy bros – not the best time and place for a flirty introduction.
The laundry room is perfect for finally getting to talk to him. It’s usually pretty empty, with a few people coming in to switch their laundry, and you know you’ll be back there a few times over the next two hours. Plus, there’s often dead waiting time while you wait for a machine to finish.
Find an empty washer or dryer within earshot so that it’s easy to start a convo. If there’s no machine next to him, pick one across from him, you’ll be able to catch his eye as you throw your laundry in the washer.
Try “forgetting” your laundry detergent or dryer sheets and ask to borrow his. Tell him you’ll owe him detergent next time and that you’ll be doing laundry on Sunday if he wants to take you up on the offer. There’s no commitment, but if he walks in the laundry room that day, you’ll know he’s interested. And it never hurts to do laundry.
Instead of: The Dining Hall
Try: The Local Coffee Shop
The dining hall is always a supposed hot spot for meeting boys. Generally where there’s food, there are guys. But, the dining hall tends to get crowded, and that kills any chance of catching someone’s eye, or finding a quiet space to talk.
A better option is to head to a local café or coffee shop. It will be much quieter, and is sure to be serving a few college cuties from your campus.
Before you order, ask the guy next to you in line, or at the table nearby what he recommends getting. Even if you’ve been there before and have a menu favorite, tell him you’re trying to switch it up, and ask what he orders. He’ll be more than happy to give you advice.
Or, if you’re already seated at a table, catch the eye of the guy walking in. If he feels you seem friendly and outgoing, he may even ask to join you after he’s gotten his order. Guys aren’t likely to join anyone they feel intimidated by, so you want to seem approachable. A smile usually does the trick.
Instead of: Parties
Try: Other Social Events and Activities:
Parties can be loud and sloppy. But sporting events, concerts, and fundraisers are great social places to meet guys where it’s a little saner. You’ll already have something in common – an interest in a certain type of music, passion for a cause, or school spirit.
For the sporty boy type, hit up a club or intramural sports event, or cheer on your school at a game.
As Kristen Whaley from Miami University of Ohio says, “You already obviously (to him anyway) have something in common if you are going to watch sports, and it’s easy to start a conversation about the upcoming game.”
Ask him how many games he’s been to so far that season, or what other teams he watches at school.
Crystal Greene from Johnson State College met her boyfriend at a snowboarding fundraiser for breast cancer.
“It showed his concern for others, and I saw his amazing snowboarding skills!” Greene said.
If you’re looking for the cute musician type, take Mariel Loveland’s advice.
“Hot guys always hang out in the music building!” Mariel from SUNY Purchase College said.
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Instead of: The Gym
Try: The Campus Courtyard or Lawn
Of course the gym comes to mind when you’re looking for a place to meet guys—what better place to meet them than where they’re sweating and showing off their delicious muscles?
The tough thing about the gym, though, is that almost everyone works out with while listening to music, and those little ear buds block out any hope of a flirtatious convo.
A better option is to step outside in the fresh air and find a spot on your campus’s lawn, or the steps of a building. The guys are more likely to have open ears, and won’t be concentrating on the last five reps of their workout routine.
Plus, when school starts, and there are still warm summer days, everyone (including adorable boys) will be catching up and enjoying the sunshine outside. Grab a few of your girlfriends and pick a spot on the grass, or steps, to hang out.
If you’d rather not wait for the boys to come to you, try bringing a Frisbee or soccer ball and ask the guys nearby if they want to join you and your friends.
Bring a deck of cards as back up in case they’re not up for a soccer game—just make sure you don’t agree to a game of strip poker in public.
Instead of: Class
Try: Student Groups and Clubs
As is the case with meeting guys at a social event, when meeting guys in student clubs or groups, you already know you have a similar interest.
Become part of a group you’re interested in or passionate about on campus and there are bound to be guys there (as long as it isn’t a women’s organization of course!).
Use the topic of the group to start a conversation with the boy you’ve got your eye on.
It worked for Sally Kwok, a collegiette at the University of Pennsylvania.
“When I walked into a debate team meeting the first month of my freshman year, I remember thinking all the guys would be totally weird, and I definitely never thought I’d walk out having just met my boyfriend of almost two years.” Sally said. “But when Christian, the hot guy from South Africa with the cutest accent, approached me and introduced himself, we got to talking, and it turns out we had a bunch of mutual friends from all over the world from our debate competitions in high school. I was just doing something that I love, and lucky for me, I also happened to find someone I love in the process.”
Meghan Demaria from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill met her boyfriend through a Service Learning Program during the first week of school freshman year.
To get to know each other better, outside of the group meetings, offer to meet for a cup of coffer afterwards, or ask if he wants to grab something to eat before the next meeting.
You may not always end up with a boyfriend, like Sally and Meghan, but if you initiate that first conversation, who knows where things could lead!
Sources:
Meghan Demaria, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Sally Kwok, University of Pennsylvania
Maria Loveland, SUNY Purchase College
Crystal Greene, Johnson State College
Kristen Whaley, Miami University of Ohio
Emily Dossin, Syracuse University