How and Why to Make the First Move

The sun is shining, summer is approaching and cute guys are randomly appearing all over campus. You can't help but stare as they walk past you, but when eye contact is made, all eyes immediately hit the ground. As you walk away, you can't help but think to yourself, "why did I just do that?!"

This is where the trouble begins. One question that I hear too often is whether or not women should ask a guy out. The answer is usually a blatant NO WAY.

Why?

As girls, we have been spoon-fed ideas of the "perfect" romance with Prince Charming with a chariot awaiting in the background, or John Cusack holding his boom box outside our window. We are constantly bombarded with reminders that if the man isn't the one making moves in the relationship, then he will feel emasculated and possibly lose interest. Women are supposed to sit back, look pretty and wait to be asked out on a date.  We are always looking for that attractive male with just the right amount of confidence, but how long are we willing to wait?

Instead of doubting yourself and using the typical "why don't guys like me?" question, why don't women go for what they want and ask a guy on a date? There aren't many reasons why you shouldn't, so why not take a chance and see what happens. This gives women the opportunity to go for a guy that they think is attractive and steer clear from those weirdos who hit on you at the bar. With texting and applications like Tinder, girls are already taking the initiative to talk to guys -- just in a safe zone.  Sure, approaching a guy may be intimidating, but this puts you in control of your dating destiny!

I say forget what we know and go with the new! There are plenty of guys out there who would love to have a girl approach them; we see it quite often on Cal Poly Confessions for crying out loud. Guys fear that their way of showing interest will give us the wrong impression and weird us out, so let's change it up and try something different. You never know who you'll end up meeting.

Here are some fun tips to show a guy that you're interested:

1. Buy him a beer 

For all of the ladies who are 21, if a cute guy catches your attention, send him a beer! This will let him know that you're intrigued, giving him the opportunity to talk to you and make the next move.

2. Go on a guy-friendly outing

Find out what he's interested in or what he did the previous weekend! Try surfing, hiking or the shooting range; this will allow him to see how much fun you guys have together and how adventurous you can be. Starting off as good friends can lead to great things, girls!

3. Check out a concert

There are plenty of spur-of-the-moment concerts along on the Central Coast, so why not go together? Find out what kind of music he likes-- or maybe you both have similar taste. The Mid-State Fair is quickly approaching and there'll be plenty of great country artists, so snag a pair of tickets and go together. This doesn't apply too much dating pressure and allows you both to have a great time.

4. Have a group hang out night

If you don't feel comfortable hanging out with him by yourself just yet, then get a group of your friends together and hang out. Whether it's making food, watching movies, or hitting the beach, this will give you two a chance to get to know each other better and feel relaxed.

Go get 'em, ladies!

15 Signs Your Roommate is Actually Your Best Friend

1. Living together was never boring...

2. Your reaction when cute boys like your Instagram and Facebook photos...

3. The life motto when you eat one too many brownies...

4. Talking about what your summer workout plan consists of... or doesn't.

5. When your ex-boyfriends send you a text to hang out, this reaction is necessary...

6. When you go downtown and everyone constantly annoys you...

7. Planning your outfits for the day automatically turns into a fashion show...

8. Cuddling in each other's beds and Facebook stalking is a great time...

9. Talking about the constant struggles of your love life...

10. When you're driving and your favorite song comes on...

11. There is no judgement when either of you want to go out on a weekday...

12. When they go home for the weekend, you can't handle being alone...

13. All either you can think about is food... 24-7...

14. When you walk into a party together it's like...

15. In the end, they will always be your best friend.

Home

Well, I finally caved. I'm starting my first blog. I sat here in this little coffee shop on campus and thought, "what in the world is my first blog post going to be about?", and I've finally come up with an idea. HOME. What is home? I could easily look up endless amounts of definitions and quotes about home and go off of what other people have said, but it's just not the same. Not for my first blog post, that is. So what does home mean to me? Home is place that you create and make your own. A place that you spend endless amounts of time at, and open up your heart to. There will be people in and out of this home, but the memories that come from those people will always remind you of home. They will bring you happiness, sadness, and any other emotion that you can imagine, but that's okay. You learn from the experiences that you go through, and grow into a better person as you get older. Home is a place that you love and hold close to your heart.

You're probably thinking, alright Brittany, where are you going with this? Well, this is what I have been realizing since I have been going through college. I started this college journey by going to community college in my hometown, fully taking advantage of not having to pay for tuition or rent, and taking the easiest classes for my general education. I lived at home, and I truly did love my home, but normally when you go off to college you start a new life and find a new home. Well, that's what I did after three years in community college. I moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Boy, talk about a move right? From Southern California, to the middle of nowhere, bible belt Tuscaloosa. Now, I was so excited because I thought, okay here it goes I'm finally going to a real college, I'm going to be starting a new life in a new home, this is going to be my home!!! It was temporary, but it wasn't all that I was hoping for. Sure, I met so many great friends, went to football games, and explored the life of a "southern girl". But I couldn't shake the fact that I wasn't truly happy; I couldn't stop thinking about my family, and not being able to adjust 100% to Tuscaloosa made me realize, this isn't home. I kept praying about what God wanted me to do with my life, and how I could figure out what path to look for, and that's when I decided to apply to Cal Poly. Cal Poly has always been an amazing school, but it has been the school that is so incredibly difficult to get into. February 18th, I received an e-mail from Cal Poly. I was so nervous, I couldn't even get myself to open it. My mind was flooding with doubt, and I just kept telling myself "it's okay if you didn't get in". BUT GUESS WHAT?!  I GOT IN.

It is now October 22nd, and I am a full time student at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. I am the happiest I have been in a very long time, and I can honestly say that this is one of the best decisions that I have ever made. Sure, sounds so cliche, right?! But I'm being serious. I have only lived here for about three months now, but I still get excited when I show people my apartment, or tell people where I live. I did Week Of Welcome at CP, and it was so incredible and welcoming, that I knew from the first day that Cal Poly was going to be my new home. I get excited every morning, even when I have to wake up for an early class, because I take pride in my school, and I love my new home. God has made it very clear that this is where I should be, and he continues to bless me every day. Home is supposed to be a place that makes you so happy, that you never want to leave. Sure, you can go explore and travel, but it's a place that takes up that certain spot in your heart, and you'll always want to come back. I cannot wait for all of the memories and experiences that I am going to have here at Cal Poly, and this is just the beginning. I'm sure this won't be the last time that I talk about it!

Xo,
Brittany