Ah, college dates; you've got to love 'em. They consist of "romantic" nights in your date's dorm room, drinking boxed wine as their roommate watches Netflix in the top bunk or trying to walk together along Bruin Walk without getting jostled by other students; and study dates in the library count, right?

No. This is the start of a new year, and I think that it's about time we actually tried a little harder because the college dating game is pitifully weak. If the dates you've been going on have been sub-par, look no further! This article is a compilation of cute (and affordable) date ideas for your average LA college student. And take it from me, they are definitely better than having someone claim that they "chivalrously bought dinner" for you when it was really just them using an extra swipe for you at a dining hall.

1. Go ice skating in Santa Monica.

Ice skating makes for a super fun date. Ice skating rinks are definitely easy to find in LA in January. Besides the Iceland Ice Skating Center, Ice at Santa Monica is a great place to go. Located on 5th street and priced at $15 per person, Ice is a cute place to go for some winter excitement, and better yet, it's open until midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Hurry and go skating at Ice soon, though, because the rink closes for the season on Jan. 18.

2. See amazing views of the city at the Griffith Observatory.

The greatest thing about the Griffith Observatory, besides the breathtaking view, is that admission is FREE! Open six days a week, the Observatory is a great place for a date if stargazing is your thing. Catching sunsets from the top isn't such a terrible experience either.

3. Visit LA's Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)

MOCA is always full of cool exhibitions and it's a perfect place to go for a healthy dose of contemporary art. It's also located in the artsy downtown of LA, so walking around after visiting the museum is highly recommended. The Magdalena Fernandez exhibition ends in January, but look out for Hito Steyerl's video installation: "Factory of the Sun," which uses "motifs of light and acceleration" to explore the possibility of resistance towards surveillance in our increasingly virtual world. There's also a student discount with your college ID.

4. Check out The Last Bookstore.

Here's a quirky date spot. Featured in the "20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World," The Last Bookstore, located at 453 S Spring Street, is definitely a cool place to visit. It's definitely not your average bookstore due to its unique bookshelves and labyrinth atmosphere, and it's occasionally featured in the monthly LA Art Walk. Additionally, they have a large vinyl collection that visitors can browse and small galleries of original art. It's definitely a cool place to check out if you're interested in literature. For a different kind of date, curl up with your date on the cozy and spacious leather couches. (Photo of the actual store below).

5. Sing your heart out at a karaoke bar.

There are few things more fun than hitting up a karaoke bar at the end of a night out. Although I wouldn't recommend this idea until you've been on a few dates with the person and feel comfortable enough to sing in front of them (unless you're extremely brave or a good singer), karaoke is always a good time. Two karaoke joints that stay open pretty late and are conveniently located in Westwood are Max Karaoke Studio and Karaoke Bleu, both on Sawtelle Boulevard.

6. Grab a picnic/dinner on the beach.

This may seem a little cliché, but it's cliché for a reason! Bring a basket or backpack with food and spread a picnic blanket on the sand. Voila! An instantly romantic date with a beautiful view of the ocean. It may be winter and little chillier than usual, but that's what layers are for. Pro tip: avoid going on windy days, or you'll end up with a lot of sandy food.

7. See a drive-in movie at Electric Dusk Drive-In.

If you're lucky enough to be a college student with a car, then this one's for you. Drive-in movie theaters are practically an endangered species. This is definitely a one-of-a-kind date. Located in downtown LA, Electric Dusk specializes in both classic and new movies. And it's only $13 per person for car tickets.

8. Take a hike.

If you and your date are looking for something more outdoorsy, there are a ton of great hiking locations in LA. From hiking to the Hollywood sign on the Hollyridge Trail to the easy Wildflower Trail hike in Elysian Park to exploring Solstice Canyon in Malibu, there's an extraordinary amount of trails to choose from. Double win because you're also getting some exercise in.

College dates don't always have to consist of trips to In-n-Out or black out frat nights! Try out some of these ideas and you won't be disappointed!