By Taylor Cotter
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
Are you one of the many college students spending Valentine's Day single this year? Valentine’s Day can be a bummer if you don’t have a boyfriend, girlfriend or date with whom to share it. But never fear – there are so many ways in college to celebrate the ones you love without having to go on a romantic date!
Here are 5 heartwarming suggestions for how to spend your V-Day solo:
1. Galentine’s Day
Coined by the always-wise Leslie Knope, Galentine’s Day is “is about celebrating lady friends. It’s wonderful, and it should be a national holiday.” It’s important to spend time with your closest friends (gals and guys), but it’s extra-important around Valentine’s Day. Chances are, you’re not the only one of your girls (or bros) that will be alone on February 14th. Hook up Netflix Instant Stream to a TV, order take-out food and remember that celebrating love with your friends is just as important (or even more important!) than having a date.
2. Treat Yourself
The best thing about being single on Valentine’s Day? Not having to split a check, buy a present, or even a dig through the racks for a singing card. Take the money you would have spent on a date and spend it on something for you – new clothes, new books, new electronics, or even an extravagant dinner for one. There won’t be any time for moping around when you’re loading up a new iPod or engaged in a great book.
3. Singles Events
If you’d rather spend your Valentine’s Day searching for love, many colleges and local restaurants host speed dating and singles mixers. Grab a single friend and check out what your neighborhood has to offer! If you don’t meet anybody, you’ll be sure to have an entertaining night with your friend that you can laugh about later.
4. Spend Time With Your Family
If your college is close to your family, it might be a great time to take a short trip home for a nice dinner. After all, Valentine’s Day isn’t just about celebrating your boyfriend or girlfriend, but about celebrating love. If you don’t live close enough to go home, schedule a time to video-chat or send them handmade cards. Spending some time with your parents and siblings, especially if you don’t see them often, is an incredibly special way to spend the 14th.
5. Do What You Love
Not having a date isn’t an excuse to not spend time with something else you love. Go to a yoga class, re-read your favorite book, or spend the night watching bad TV. There are plenty of great things in your life – carve out a few hours to spend some time with them!
Are you doing something fun that we missed? Let us know in the comments!
By Taylor Cotter
StudentAdvisor Staff
Valentine’s Day can be rough in college. I learned this the hard way – forgetting to make reservations, having to order off expensive prix-fixe menus, and dealing with the freezing cold! Now, I try to make Valentine’s run as smoothly – and cheaply – as possible. Whether this is your first date, long-term relationship, or just a weekend out with friends, here are some tips to have a Valentine’s Day that’s cheap, romantic – and actually fun.
1. Go out on the 13th.
Just by pushing your Valentine’s date up one day, you avoid massive crowding at restaurants, expensive menus, and the unspoken pressure of having a date on February 14th. You can steer clear of ordering the non-optional appetizers, desserts and drinks and share a meal at your favorite restaurant, ordering off the regular menu.
2. Find a free event.
All cities and college campuses have regular events put on by students or community groups; this might be something that you and your significant other rarely make time to check out. Even if it’s just an A Capella concert, improv show, or a local high school is putting on a musical, finding time to do something free and entertaining can be a fun date, and something special.
3. Go out for dessert.
You might not want to shell out fifty dollars or more for a nice restaurant and expensive dinner, but you can still have the romantic experience of a Valentine’s date. Check out the dessert menu at a normally expensive restaurant. Even the fanciest and most expensive restaurants don’t often have desserts that cost more than $10 – and there’s always something romantic about eating a really great dessert.
4. Explore your city.
I’ve lived in Boston for four years now and haven’t even seen half of the city’s attractions. Chances are, wherever your college is, there are tourist attractions, museums or landmarks that you have yet to see. Use Valentine’s Day to take an adventure across your town and cross a couple items off your college bucket list. Your college ID might also give you free admission to some museums.
5. Play with dogs!
You might live in a college residence hall, but that’s no excuse to not want puppies in your life. Most animal shelters allow people to come in and play with the dogs (and cats!) for a little while. It’s a great way to give the animals a little exercise, as well as a great way to spend a few hours getting to know your date. You’re guaranteed to have fun picking out and giving names to your future dogs.
6. Find a free class.
Many gyms, dance studios and karate studios offer one free (or discounted) class to those who are interested in learning. These free passes can let you and your date try out a new skill or hobby, or just the opportunity to spend some time fooling around! The best part of this date is that you might discover something you’re great at, or want to continue learning.
Any ideas that we missed? Let us know in the comments or tweet at @StudentAdvisor!
