The thing about living on campus, whether you’re physically living in a dorm or just spending all your time in classes, is that it feels like you’ve done almost everything there is to do. Dining hall? Been there. Campus café? Done that. Ding-dong-ditched your dorm room neighbors? Absolutely done that. So, when it comes time to plan an on-campus first date, it can be easy to feel out of luck. But the truth is, planning a date on campus doesn’t have to be hard — in fact, it can actually be fun.
Think about it: any silly thing you’ve planned with your roommates, classmates, or friends can be done as a date. In my first year, my friends and I went sledding, hosted holiday parties, frolicked around campus in the middle of the night, and even made a diss track about our downstairs neighbours (don’t worry, they were our friends). Living on campus can feel like a curse while you’re in it, but you learn to get pretty creative.
Of course, going on a date is more intimidating than hanging out with your friends, but it can be a little less so when you’re doing something a bit familiar… and fun. That’s why I’ve gathered 6 on-campus first date ideas that prove you don’t have to go far for sparks to fly.
- Go for a study date at the library.
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A study date at the library can go a long way. Whether you’re in the same class or just want to enjoy each other’s company, this can be a great way to ease into a new relationship with someone and get comfortable. Bring some comfy (but cute) clothes and books, and you’re good to go (But don’t worry, you don’t actually have to study).
- Play a sport together.
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Everyone, and I mean everyone, seems to take their dates to play spikeball at the athletics centre. It sounds silly, but it’s honestly such a great way to erase the tension (plus, it’s a blast). Of course, this doesn’t have to be spikeball. You can play pickleball, badminton, or anything that floats your boat.
- Attend a student event.
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Honestly, the best nights of my life have come from random nights at the campus bar. Think: comedy shows, plays, trivia, karaoke — there’s so much fun to be had by attending a good ‘ol student event. Plus, there’s probably a lot more of them than you realize. So, find one you and your date are interested in, and you’re set for a great first date.
- Take a stroll around campus.
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Another obvious but great idea: walking around campus with your date can actually be a lot of fun. While yes, you’ve likely seen all there is to see on campus, you haven’t seen them with your date. It’s another great way to get comfortable and to get to know them casually. Plus: you can people-watch — and what better activity than to narrate the random people walking by and take the tension off your first date?
- Go for a bookstore browse.
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A coffee and bookstore date might be the most common campus date — but it’s that way for a reason. Think about it: you can learn what their coffee order is, what their interests are, and, depending on what your bookstore has, their favourite study snacks. It’s casual, but sometimes that’s really all you need for a first date.
- Head to the campus art gallery.
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If your campus has a museum or art gallery, this is honestly one of the most fun date ideas. Browsing through the art and seeing who has the most unhinged takes can be a great way to see whether or not they match your energy. If they do, great. And if they don’t… well, you can just focus on the art.
Finding the perfect on-campus first date idea is hard — but not impossible. Sometimes the best dates come out of something as casual as a study date and as random as a game of spike ball.
The point of a first date is to see if you guys mesh well in the first place, anyway. And if you do, it won’t take an extravagant dinner date to find out.