How Do I Meet Boys in College?

Dear Losers,

How do I meet boys in college?

Ava, 19

Dear Reader,

I’m sorry, did you mean college or your small agrarian community?

College is the easiest place to meet guys maybe EVER. It’s only downhill from there. (I’m not saying to focus more on your attaining MRS degree than your BA/BS. No no. Your education frees you from actually needing a man, so please concentrate) But take advantage of the added perks while you can! In college, you essentially live in a town where everyone is around your age and your SAT score. BO-NUS! Not even match.com can provide that kind of service.

After college, you’re stuck meeting people at your workplace, the bar scene or the produce aisle. Case in point:

You 4 years from now: “Oh wow, you like romaine lettuce too! No way! Did you know it has the highest nutritional content of all…. Okay well…um, nice talking to you!”

It’s great to seize the opportunity to talk to someone, no matter how lame the conversation starter (cue the Snapple Real Facts). But college is a place where you don’t have to find common ground over what’s in your grocery cart. You have common ground with everyone (for example: pending diploma, weird roommates, extra-long twin sized jersey sheets, etc.), you just need to put yourself in the right places.

Here’s a valuable piece of information from, yes, a REAL guy:

“Girls complain about not meeting guys, but I really think they discount the power of location.”

He makes a good point. I had friends that loved going to clubs, but complained that they only met huge tools. Do we really need to connect the dots?!

So there are the traditional collegiate locations to meet boys – class, dorm activities, study groups, social clubs, on-campus jobs, games and parties. Get out there and take advantage! But you can also get creative. Assess your situation and devise a game plan. Ask yourself what kind of boys you like and how you might be able to meet them. For instance, if you like tools, then hit up the clubs or a local tanning salon. If you’re into the pre-med type, then you might want to hang out on that side of campus or learn about the chemical properties of formaldehyde. If you’re into outdoorsy men go to games, outdoor activities or lumberjack competitions. If you like skinny-jean-wearing, emo, hipster guys go to an indie concert, hit up a thrift store… or just meander around Berkeley, CA. (Tip: You’re not going to find a hipster in guyliner playing rugby with the frat boys.)

I know this all sounds creepy and calculated, and admittedly, that’s because it is. But it’s also smart. Just like you, College Girl! Let’s practice with a fill-in- the- blank.

If I only hang out on the all-girls floor I will only meet ____________.

If I only hangout in my dorm room I will only meet _______________.

If I never leave my floor, I will NEVER meet ___________

(1. girls, 2. oh yeah, NOBODY!, 3. NEW BOYS!! )

If you’re looking for new boys in general, you’re going to have to leave your bunk bed and find new places to hang out. You’re going to have to drop what I’ve deemed the Rapunzel Syndrome. You know the “I’m in my tower (dorm room), so come rescue me from my solitude (studying for my Bio midterm).”

Even studying in a new library or a different study hall will open you up to new people. And it goes without saying that you need to be friendly – to your neighbors, classmates, elevator mates, the list goes on. There’s nothing wrong with striking up a conversation with someone. Make friends and get to know your fellow collegians. It’s much easier than you think. When you make friends, you can soon make friends with their friends. And they might just have eligible boy in tow… SCORE!

You can start by asking someone about their classes, their major, or – brace yourself for this one – you can just introduce yourself. Remember how friendly everyone was on the first day? Well who says that has to stop? If they look at you weird, they’re weird! (Or you have something on your face.)

Basically, fortune favors the bold. So unless you are pining after Mr. Noodle, your dream boy is not going to come knocking on your door. I say, carpe diem… Or just take a Latin class and hope there are cute boys in it.

Photo found on: http://afreakbitchinyourtown.tumblr.com/page/10