Date Night Entertainment

Campus Collegiate: Entertainment

It's Friday night.  Or possibly Saturday.  Time to curl up with a good movie, a bowel of popcorn, and a good book.  Or maybe that is just me.  Yes, hailing from the land of the perpetually single, 'date nights,' though exceedingly popular with the general college community are somewhat of a mystery to me.

Now, there is nothing at all wrong with being single, and not having a date on Friday or Saturday isn't the end of the world.  On occasion, it grants me some much needed 'me time' especially as the year winds down and there are a thousand projects due all at once.   If, like me, you are spending your weekends free of a significant other, fret not!  You can still enjoy your weekend, sans partner.

Granted, sometimes from the stand point of Friday afternoon, the weekend can look pretty desolate and endless.  You can almost see the tumbleweeds.

But, no matter!  Chances are, you are not the only person who doesn't have a date.  Now, if you are absolutely set on going out, this is when it is time to take matters into your own hands, and take the first step.  Don't expect people to call you.  You have hands, so use them to call up, or at the very least, text, a few friends.  Don't be discouraged if people don't answer right away, that is why you are doing it ahead of time.  People set up dates several days before hand, there is no reason not to plan your weekend on Thursday.

Group dates can be a lot of fun.  It is a cliche, but dinner and a movie can be one of the best things to do, especially if you are underage.  It is easier than you would think to find cheap, delicious places to eat--all you have to do is be a bit willing to experiment.  But that is part of the fun too.  Even a bad experience can be enjoyable if six other people are in the same situation.  At the very least you'll get some jokes out of it.

Some things you can do as a couple or as a group.  If you are over 21, going to a local bar can be fun, especially if they offer things such as dancing or pool.  Arcades can be enjoyable as well, because, let's face it, we all like regressing to childhood every now and then.  Sometimes that means spending too much money on rigged arcade games or playing wack-a-mole, sometimes it means going on a picnic and playing on a playground.  For more cheap date ideas, go to http://www.marieclaire.com/sex-love/relationship-issues/cheap-date-ideas#slide-1.  There are ideas there for both couples and groups.

So, if you are tired of spending your weekends alone, maybe it is time to take the initiative and call up some friends.  Who knows, next time, they might call you.  Either way, you won't have to spend the weekend alone on the couch if you don't want to.  You only have the memories you make happen, so why not start now?

by: Lauren Schneider