Cheap Date Ideas for College Students

I am engaged to be married to a guy I met in college. We have only dated while in college so many of our dates have had to be under this category (college is expensive!). While it may seem like more fun to always go out for dates and do things that require money: Topgolf, bowling, or a trampoline park, you can actually have a really great time and even get to know your significant other better in different settings. 

            Eating is a main event that me and my fiancé, Brennan, have based our dates around. This is a common setting for many couples. It is easy to spend a lot of money on food, though. One way that we have cut back the price but have still eaten out is by sharing a meal. We really enjoy Raising Cane’s chicken, so we will often get the big chicken meal and share it. It comes with just enough for both of us. A lot of fancier restaurants also have this possibility. Many of their entrees would be big enough for two. You could also go out for breakfast or lunch instead of dinner, which often provides a cheaper menu. Eating together also provides a great way to get to know each other’s food interests as well! The time spent in the restaurant also creates a time for some communication, which is one of the most important aspects of a relationship. 

            You could also create a picnic. Just head on down to your local grocery store and get all of the things you like to have at a picnic. Be reasonable and do not splurge on every little food item, but you could get bread, lunch meat, and cheese if you like sandwiches, or you could get crackers, cheese, and summer sausage if that is more your thing. Grab a fruit and veggie and then you are good to go! There are many ways to customize a picnic, so do what you both like! You could also make it special by getting one food item that the other person really enjoys. 

            You may be busy with schoolwork, so finding time to go on a date may be a challenge. Most campuses have beautiful sceneries and some even provide trails so get out and go on a walk together. This is a great time to have meaningful conversations as well as stay fit together. You could also bike ride or even run if you both are up to the challenge. For me, a date is more about spending time with the person instead of spending money or going downtown. 

            Another thing that me and my fiancé really enjoy is playing board games or card games. This is a great way to get a little competition into your relationship and see how the other reacts when they win or lose. A great two player game that we enjoy is Codenames Duet. It is challenging, but it also lets you see how the other person makes connections to certain words. A few other two player games would be: Sequence, Othello, and Phase 10. You may have to pay a little more at first to get these games, but games can of course be played during many different dates. You could also have a group date and play other games that require more people. This is a great opportunity to see how your significant other interacts with people. One game we really enjoy is Ticket to Ride. 

            For a scholarship one year, I had to do a set number of community service hours, and Brennan ended up doing some of the work with me. It was so wonderful to work alongside him in our community and work together for the benefit of others. You could also find different charity events to attend such as different walks or fairs. Doing this can bring up topics in your conversations, like which charities you want to support when you are older. 

            Lastly, there are so many people out there who are working to become singers, songwriters, and musicians. They may put on concerts that are either free or cheap on campus, at local coffee shops, or at outdoor concert spaces. This is a wonderful time to sit and simply spend time with your significant other. You can also find music that you like together and make beautiful memories that you will cherish forever.              Dating is about getting to know the other person more. Communicate and have fun with them. Find things that you both enjoy and make a sacrifice to do something they enjoy. Make memories that you will remember.