In high school, I dreaded the prom and anything that had to
do with dances. Now that I’m in college and in a sorority, I adore date functions. I don’t know what it is -- the communal bus ride, seeing everyone all dressed up or just dancing the night away with my sisters, but every time our special events chairs (lovingly called Spevents in Theta Phi) announce a crush party or formal, I get so excited. I know it is about to be an amazing night, aside from one thing: picking out a date.

It is easy to just take a boyfriend or significant hookup if you have one, but as a single lady of Bloomington, finding a date can become an ordeal. Here are my three top tips to keep in mind while choosing a date. 

1. Know what you are looking for. What are you trying to accomplish? Let’s be honest, ladies. Are you trying to bring a date who is a potential love interest? Maybe a hookup? Or are you just trying to take someone you are going to have fun with? Whatever you decide you want, make sure that matches what you are searching for. If you are really looking for someone to  hook up with later, chances are you will be a little salty at the event when people are being all romantic around you, and you are there with your gay best friend. 

2. Keep in mind the details of the event. Is your semiformal in Chicago, or some other faraway place? If so, are you going to be able to hang out with this person for any extended period of time? It can be easy to just have your big find a date for you, but if you don’t know him, you may be setting yourself up for disaster. Imagine having to hang out with someone super annoying and being stuck with them for 24 hours. Also, keep in mind what type of function it is. If it is a barn dance, make sure you are not taking that brooding hipster who hates to dance, because you will end up hating your night. 

3. Keep an open mind. So, you have exhausted your resources looking for this date, and have looked to your friends to find you a date. When your friend comes to you and says they found someone, do not be surprised if he is not an Abercrombie and Fitch model. That gives you no right to be mean to him. He is doing you a favor and probably getting nothing in return. 

We, suddenly, all become incredibly aware of just how single we are when we need to pick out a date for a formal or a barn dance. We all know the struggle of finding a date for these things. It is hard. So, just be open minded and honest about what you want out of the date, and you are set up to have the best #formal2k14 ever.