Whether you are a part of Greek life, a sports team, or any other club— formal is one of the biggest events of the year. It is the prom of college and a night to look your best while being with your best friends. But just like prom, formal produces just as much stress.
Struggle #1: Finding a Date
If you don’t have a significant other, finding a date is the most difficult hurdle to jump over. That eighth grade fear of rejection comes back as you have to put your life on the line to ask a guy if he would be interested in being your date.
Okay, so thinking about the date gives you too much anxiety. You move on to tackle to next battle.
Struggle #2: Finding the Dress
You scavenge the nearest Marshall’s or T.J. Maxx for a dress— no such luck. You venture to department stores— too expensive. One dress is too short, but the next is too conservative. Looking like a classy, yet hot and chic woman is harder than it seems. You wind up ordering 4 dresses online. When they arrive, you try them all on and hate them. Oh well. You wind up wearing one of the four that you ordered anyway.
Struggle #3: The Formal Diet
To fit into the dress, you think that it is a great idea to only eat lettuce, an apple and a Greek yogurt every day leading up to formal. You think that this diet will help you reach your hopes and dreams. This diet is unrealistic, unhealthy and lasts for approximately two hours after you start to crave cheese and French fries.
Struggle #4: You Still Don’t Have a Date
Maybe if you wait long enough, someone will ask you to come to your formal. This is a very opportunistic outlook on life.
Struggle #5: You look like Casper
You look in the mirror— Casper is looking back at you. Oh wait, that’s you. The long and cold winter makes it clear that you have not seen the light of day for months. You basically have three options. 1. You remain very pale and embrace your sheer pigmentation. 2. You spray tan or buy tanning lotion that has the risk of you looking like a Cheeto. 3. You go to a tanning bed and put your future health at stake.
Struggle #6: Money
Formal can be costly. There can be fees for your ticket, your hotel, your transportation and not to mention how much your complete and decked out outfit will cost. Yes, you will most likely be broke after this night, but hey, everyone is in the same boat.
Struggle #7: The Awkward Ask-Back
So that guy who is clingy, annoying and over-energetic asks you to his formal. Wow, at least you know you are desired. However, does this mean he expects to attend your formal as well? Are you compelled to ask him to be your date too? Why must life be like this?
Struggle #8: Formal is in 2 Weeks and You Still Don’t Have a Date (Well, the date you envisioned)
A very attractive, fun and slightly romantic date is all you ever wanted. But sometimes, dreams cannot be a reality. You wind up asking one of your silly and charismatic guy friends and he says yes. GO FIGURE. You begin to breathe again.
Struggle #9: Making a Cooler
As if he is not lucky enough to have you paint your face in makeup before you leave the room, now he expects for you to make him a cooler. You must sand, spackle, prime, paint and seal the cooler. On top of that, you must know enough about your date to paint and decorate it to his liking. You experience inner conflicts as you debate the fine line between tacky and tasteful. Why don’t they make us coolers?
Struggle #10: Heels
The heels compliment the dress. If you wear them, will you be taller than your date? Ugh. The heels are so thin yet so tall, how will you stand on them all night? Can you walk in a straight line in them? Whatever, they look good.
Struggle #11: The Pressure Of A Hookup
You feel compelled to hook up with your date and you don’t want to. Stand your ground. Stand your ground.
Struggle #12: There is No Way to be Totally Prepared for the Night
No matter how sharp your outfit is and no matter how handsome your date is, there is no way to be totally prepared for formal and the crazy shenanigans that will happen. Just stay positive, safe, and enjoy being with the people you care about.
Disclaimer: Her Campus Seton Hall does not endorse underage drinking.