When you’ve been living, eating, sleeping, studying, and socializing on the same campus for a whole semester or maybe four years, it can seem daunting to plan an on-campus date because it feels like you—and your date—have already done everything worth doing. But never fear! There are plenty of simple ways to put a new spin on campus life so that you can experience new things and have fun while getting to know that special someone better or impress a long-term partner.
Romance in the great outdoors
At many colleges and universities, the gorgeous surroundings are a perk of attending, and schools invest tons of time and money in sprucing up the grounds to attract incoming students and please current students and guests. Take advantage of the natural beauty with a walk around campus, or just off campus if your school has hiking trails or scenic bodies of water nearby. Maybe there’s just a part of campus you and your date have never been to—use your date to explore the new area. Who knows, it could become your favorite!
Enjoy a bit of a challenge? You could also check out sites at or near your school. It’s like a modern-day treasure hunt, where you get to solve a puzzle together and possibly learn some more about local geography. Or if you both are night owls (or have just had too much coffee that day) and the skies are clear, you can go stargazing. Grab some blankets, find a clear patch with as little light pollution as possible, and just see where contemplating the stars takes your conversation.
Work it out and have fun
Your pulse is already racing when you see that special person anyway—why not get a workout while you’re at it? Jogging, hiking, or bike riding are easy and fun date ideas. Also check out your campus gym’s programming list to see if they offer any fitness events or classes the two of you could enjoy together. If an extracurricular club offers dance lessons, so you and your date could learn a new skill that’s both fun and romantic!
Related: 5 Inexpensive Date Ideas for College Students on Valentine's Day
Cute moments and seasonal activities
If you and your date are feeling sparks fly in the fall, carving pumpkins is a great cheap date that’s limited only by your imagination (and possibly your carving tools). Plus, this date leaves you with a product that lasts for weeks and will remind you of the fun time you had together.
In the wintertime on the other hand, if your campus has a body of water that freezes over well enough, you could consider ice-skating for a date. You could also take it back to childhood together and have a friendly snowball fight and/or try building a snow fort.
Expand your palates and your connection
There’s of course the classic dinner date. But if you’re on a remote campus with few options besides the dining hall and a pizza shop, you might need to take things into your own hands. Try having a picnic at the most scenic location on campus, like the outdoor options mentioned above.
Making a themed dinner together is another way to stay on campus and still plan a fun date. Learn about each other’s food preferences and pick a specific cuisine like Italian, Chinese, or Mexican and then work together to craft the perfect meal. And don’t forget dessert! There are plenty of no-bake desserts out there you can make in a dorm—the result is sure to be delicious.
Related: The Best Ideas for Dorm Meals Without a Kitchen
Campus events
There are plenty of campus events that could be turned into a date night. Some campuses have a film society that will put on movies for students. If your school’s drama department or theater club is putting on a production, you can attend with your date. You could also plan a sports-lovers date by tailgating together or attending a home game as fans. Tickets for all these are usually inexpensive or free for students.
Also take advantage of musical acts or other artistic opportunities your school is hosting throughout the year, like your favorite band or your campus’s a capella group. Performances like these for students are generally very cheap or free as well. Or If your school has a museum or art galleries on campus, you and your date could spend a leisurely afternoon wandering around, admiring paintings, and discussing what you think.
Spicing up the everyday
For many people, a date screams, “elaborate production!” But it doesn’t have to be! Ultimately a date is just about getting to know someone, which is often easier to do in a simple setting. A date can be something as low-key as getting coffee, an especially good choice when you’re busy and only have time for a quick break from studying or activities. And when you both need to study—but really want to see each other—just have a study date together. Reserve a room in the library, put on some good music, bring some study snacks (if you can), and take short breaks to talk to each other to make the time fly by.
When you do take a break from all that studying, share your interests by introducing your new squeeze to your favorite films with a movie marathon in your dorm or the nearest rec room. Just don’t burn your popcorn and set off any alarms! Consider grabbing your favorite board games too for a night of friendly competition and fun.
Related: Have a Heart: Unique Ways to Celebrate Love This Valentine's Day
See, there are a lot of ways to make dates on campus exciting! Remember, you don’t have to plan the most elaborate date of all time to impress them. As long as you put in a little effort and make the other person feel valued, you’ll have fun on any date you come up with right on campus.
