Humor Column

     College – the time of late-night study sessions, questionable on-campus food, and of course, navigating the awful rocky waters of dating. As a girl in this generation, let me tell you, it's wild. Dating nowadays is full of excitement, confusion, and sheer hilarity.

First, let's talk about the modern sensation that is dating apps. Nobody has to flirt out in the open anymore– now, people can simply swipe right from the comfort of their dorm room and voila, instant matches with barely 0 effort. It's like online shopping for love, complete with filters for height, hobbies, and my goodness even favorite pizza toppings. Important things, you know?

But while dating apps offer a seemingly endless array of people, they also come with their fair share of quirks and pitfalls. Ever matched with someone only to discover their profile consists entirely of group photos, leaving you to play a game of who’s who to figure out which one he is? Or received a cheesy pickup line that's so bad it legit makes you want to never speak to a man again? 

Or, the men who think that having a conversation with themselves in your Instagram DM’s is a sure way to win you over and get a response from you. Even better- the guys who sit next to you in class and instead of speaking to you like any normal person would, they Snapchat you despite being right next to you. 

Of course, college dating isn't just confined to just social media– there's also the timeless experience of meeting people in real life. Whether it's having a conversation at a frat party or bonding over something during class, there's no shortage of opportunities to make a connection with others. Just be prepared for the often awkward encounters or mistaken identity mishap.

Then there's the delicate dance of defining the relationship. One minute, you're casually hanging with the boy from across the hall, and the next, you're wondering if it's appropriate to ask “What are we?” And let's not even get started on the dreaded "talking" phase – is it the beginning of exclusivity or just a term for avoiding commitment? This is the biggest struggle and it’s so valid.

But aside from all the confusion and chaos, there are moments of real connection and laughter that make it all worthwhile. Whether it's sharing late-night Cookout runs, binge-watching Netflix together, or just cuddling up on the couch watching Tik Tok, college dating is as much about building memories as it is actually dating.

So here's to the girls out there trying to navigate dating in this small snippet of our lives. No matter how many awkward encounters or embarrassing moments you happen to have, it's all just part of the process. So take in the funny moments, cherish the memories, and above all, never forget to laugh – because when it comes to college dating, sometimes literally all you can do is laugh.