Margaret BauerAh, living on the Forty… In some ways, it’s so convenient-you’re a short walk from campus, housekeepers will clean your bathrooms for you and you never have to bother making dinner. But in other ways it can be a real pain, especially if you don’t have a car, and especially when it comes to dating. But don’t give up hope just yet, my fellow residents of the Forty-just because you’re on campus and car-less doesn’t mean you have to be at a loss for date ideas. Believe it or not, there’s plenty you can do, without ever stepping foot outside the Wash U bubble!
Not to be too self-congratulatory, but my favorite idea is one my boyfriend and I came up with when he visited a few weeks ago for my birthday. We brought blankets, a stereo and food out to the swamp and set up a late-night picnic. We barbequed on one of those grills that pepper the Forty, and listened to music-there’s even an electrical outlet on the swamp near the basketball courts. This idea can be adapted to your needs, too. Don’t want to grill? Pack sandwiches, snacks or dessert. Don’t want to picnic on the Forty? There are plenty of fairly secluded, picnic-friendly areas around campus. All you have to do is look around and pay attention.
On a similar note, even if you live in a dorm, you do have access to an oven. Why not try cooking with your date? Taking on the preparation of a homemade meal together could make for a very enjoyable evening, and would definitely help out with that “getting to know each other” thing. You could make up your room or a study room on your floor into a romantic dinner setting – just remember not to light candles. Setting off a fire alarm would probably put a damper on the experience.
If you’re looking for a date idea that doesn’t involve dinner, do yourself a favor and try the observatory in Crow Hall, because really, what’s more romantic than stargazing? The observatory is located on the building’s roof, and so in addition to being able to get a closer look at the Moon, you’ll also get a fabulous view of the St. Louis skyline, which is beautiful when lit up at night. The observatory is open most nights until 10 p.m., but make sure to check the schedule before you head over.
In preparation for writing this article, I asked a handful of my friends for their ideas and suggestions, and most of them were quick to recommend walking with your date to the steps of Brookings after dark. While it might seem counterintuitive, taking a date to sit in front of the admissions building is apparently a very popular and romantic thing to do, if lacking a little in privacy. So, feel free to try it, and if you do, let me know how it works out.
Enjoying ice cream or milkshakes over a board game at Ursa’s is another fun way to spend an hour or two, one that definitely will be low-key and take the pressure off. After all, when you’re playing a game of Scrabble or Sorry! you don’t have to be constantly pressed to come up with conversation. There’s nothing like a little friendly competition…And hey, board games rock!
So, now you have no excuses… Even if you’re a freshman who hasn’t left campus in weeks, you’ve got no reason to shy away from asking out that girl you’ve been eyeing in Intro Psych, or that cute guy from Chemistry. And hey-you can thank me later.