Remember back in elementary school when shooting your shot meant sending your crush a corny love note? They always had the yes, no or maybe boxes and you always had your best friend deliver the note.
In those days relationships consisted of meeting your partner at breakfast before your first class and praying that you had lunch together that school year, only to stare at each other from different tables.
As we graduated to middle school shooting your shot became reckless. Every middle school had that one guy or girl that everybody wanted to be with. And even if you became that lucky guy or girl that snatched their heart, everyone else kept shooting their shot until it was their turn.
Do you remember your middle school boyfriend or girlfriend? I remember mine, even down to the name. To me, he was every young girl’s dream. He was tall and handsome and those were honestly the only two requirements most girls had at that age.
As we matured and moved into high school, we began to acquire standards and began experiencing our first true love. It’s funny because in high school many of us reverted to our shy and silly elementary school relationship behavior. Awkward notes turned into awkward group dates and movie nights.
Shooting your shot in high school wasn’t for your crush but for your crush’s parents. Shooting a shot to your crush was the easy part. Usually, it was shot through a text message, Facebook messenger or Twitter direct message. Getting their parents to feel comfortable with accepting you and their child in a relationship deserved a lathered, smooth and skillful shot. Now that we are in college, what is shooting your shot? I’ve got you covered. Here are some ways to shoot your shot before fall, also known as “cuffing season.”
If you have a class with your crush or have had classes with your crush, sit next to them in class. Before or after class turn to them and ask “do you get any of this?” or “weren’t we in chem lab together?” Don’t expect them to carry the conversation after that icebreaker. Remember, this is your shot.
Continue by asking for their help, which really means scoring their phone number and potential one-on-one time. Follow up by reminiscing about past classes together. Also, use those cheesy “what’s your major” questions to your advantage! Not only are you learning about them, but this small talk is resulting in gaining confidence to ask for those digits.
Are you involved in the same organization? Try butting into a conversation they’re having with a group or another person. Try to be a key player in the conversation, keying in on the words they’ve said.
Always see them in the student union or library? Go up to them and crack a joke or simply ask them how they’re doing.
Don’t have classes with them or notice them on the regular? Do you think you may never see them again after the end of the semester? Go old school and tell them this: “Are you from Tennessee? Cause you’re the only ten-I-see.” Sounds hideous, right? But don’t knock it until you try it.
At the end of the day, these tips may or may not work. The best advice to anyone who is scared to shoot their shot or to someone who just doesn’t know how be yourself, let the interaction be organic and never think you aren’t worthy or that they are out of your league. Being confident is the sexiest characteristic any human being can possess.
Now go shoot your shot before the temperature drops and you’re all alone on Saturday night hugging a mug of hot cocoa.
Cemone Paul is a junior in Communication Studies and can be reached at [email protected].
Columns of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
