Those of you that know me, know that in my heart I am a romantic. I still believe in true love and soul mates, even though the mathematical probability of finding your soul mate is close to zero. One of the things that I struggle with the most in college is what dating has become. Netflix Chill has become the new expectation and standard when it comes to dates which is something I just can’t accept. Dating has become way too easy and I think we all need to remember that those things in life worth keeping, like a romantic partner, should be hard to obtain.

Alright so my first problem with dating, which I already alluded to, is that it’s become way too easy. I feel like a lot of people have stopped putting in effort into coming up with dates because the cultural norm is just hanging around watching movies. Now, don’t get me wrong I think movie and pizza dates are terrific but in moderation. They shouldn’t be your go to date in my opinion. Coming up with dates shouldn’t be easy because in things like love effort counts. Sure, it might be a lot of work to cook an entire three course meal for your significant other but I guarantee that the effort you put into doing that all will make the date a million times more special. Any and every guy can take a girl to the movies but when you’re dating you have an opportunity to show her that you’re not any and every guy. Put in that extra effort and go that extra mile because it’s what sets you apart. Even if it is as simple as buying your date flowers at least you showed that you put in that much more effort into cultivating your relationship.

My second biggest problem is a lack of creativity that has just become an accepted part of dating. DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT!!!!!! I’m not advocating for reinventing the wheel but come on people we can do so much better. Listen instead of a regular dinner at a restaurant what about a picnic under the stars. Instead of a regular movie what about borrowing a projector and making your own drive-in theater. Hell instead of pizza and movie night what about a pizza crawl finished off with a much-needed movie and nap. Just put a little twist on whatever normal date you’d usually go on. Think a little outside the box and maybe do stuff that’s a little outside your comfort zone. Cookie cutter dates are classics but sometimes classics get old.

Third and probably my biggest pet peeve when it comes to dating is having your cell phone out. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PUT AWAY YOUR PHONE. Listen, guys, I don’t care how important your fantasy football team is or how epic your clash of clans battle is going to be, your phone should never distract you from the gorgeous person sitting in front of you. Be in the moment and enjoy the date. A phone simply distracts you from the person sitting across from you and you never know what you might be missing. Just do me a favor and put away your phone next time you go out. You can tell your friends all about the date after you drop your love interest off but, while you’re on the date be on the date.

Last but not least, remember to be yourself. Stop posing as someone you think should be when you’re on a date. If that person sitting across from you doesn’t like the real you then that’s fine at least you know. Be genuine because I find people are at their most endearing when they are.

So to recap: Dating should be hard, it should be creative, it should be phoneless, and it should be genuine.

Good luck out there finding your soulmate.