Oh, what a typical college student I was, downloading Tinder on a Monday night… but I have an explanation.
Firstly, I do know the implications of this app and its relation to hook-up culture. I am personally someone who values my sexuality, and would not download a dating app to compromise that.
I guess my story begins with the oh-so-awful choices here at Susquehanna. Don't get me wrong, not every college freshman male is gross, over-sexual, or not my type, but it sure does seem that way. I was tired of feeling like there were no decent people out there or that I was crazy for thinking college boys were another breed of "no thanks."
So I did what any other bored nineteen-year-old girl would do, and opened the app store. Although, tinder was most certainly not my first choice. I actually downloaded the Christian Mingle app and attempted to make an account there first.
But be warned, because while the app is free, it costs money to make and maintain a decent Christian Mingle account. As a broke college student, who did not necessarily need to find someone, I decided to make a tinder instead.
Why?
Why not! It was just a fun thing to do to get my mind off of school. Maybe I would see the same horrors and delete it the next day. My friends would tell me funny stories about their experiences with it, so one night wouldn't hurt!
I put together my bio, having it say "I love Jesus, vegan food, and Harry Potter," and making my anthem Nice 'N' Easy by Frank Sinatra.
So authentically me that I hoped it would chase away any unwanted weirdos.
Swiping was pretty hilarious if I do say so myself. Most of the guys held up dead animals, alcohol, posted only group photos, or looked like they were much too into themselves (PSA: not all girls care about your abs).
I swiped left on about 95% of the guys that appeared on my phone screen, because who wants a shallow college boy or a hick? Not me!
I remember coming across my boyfriend's profile. He looked respectable compared to most of the others I had come across. His photos showed no signs of deceased animal corpses, booze, lack of a shirt, or anything of that sort. Score!
He was very handsome, played on the blue band at Penn State, and wanted to practice law, so I swiped right and we matched!
Matching with people was interesting. First of all, because I was not totally serious about meeting anybody, I never messaged first. I was planning on deleting the app the next day, in fact, since all of the options appeared to be just as hopeless as my campus.
Two other guys messaged me, but neither was interesting in the slightest. They were those conversations that never seemed to be about anything of substance or lead anywhere. That didn't surprise me.
It all made me feel a little bit better because college guys really do suck and I wasn't crazy! But then, I get a message from him:
"Nice 'N' Easy does it every time" followed by the emoji with sunglasses.
I was surprised it was so original because the other guys seemed to notice nothing about my profile except for my pictures. It was so not typical tinder, so of course, I messaged him back.
He was fun and interesting. We told each other about our interests and lives, but it felt different because everything about us was so compatible, and I never expected that to happen. It shocked me that someone so great could be on a dating app with such a bad reputation, but then again, I was on there too.
I'm not saying that everyone will find the right person on Tinder- I was extremely lucky- but online dating is still a viable option for young adults, especially if you're stuck with mediocre options.
Now, I have an amazing upperclassman from a different school who treats me the right way, and I wouldn't change that for anything. Never settle for anything less due to societal norms or pressure. That person will come when you least expect it.
