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The best dating apps for students looking for love on campus
We love a good party as much as anyone, but the logistics of trying to get to know someone in a packed basement over thumping tunes while everyone is doing shots in the corner are a bit challenging. It's not exactly the prime environment for romance.
Dating apps are the saving grace of university students everywhere. Whether you’re serious about finding someone, or just looking for a quick hookup, you may just need the right app. After all, everyone’s doing it.
SEE ALSO: 8 of the best dating sites for working professionals in the UK
At this point there are dating apps for every niche you can think of, whether you're into gaming, geek culture, or focusing on your career — there are people seeking the same things you are. As a university student, you have specific needs and probably don't want to wade through all the older people trying to get married. You need dating apps that are specifically good for uni-aged people.
To help you find the perfect dating app, we’ve tracked down the best options for whatever kind of university experience you want, including leading sites like eharmony, Match, and AdultFriendFinder.
These are the best dating apps for university students in the UK.
eharmony
eharmony offers ultimate compatibility tech, but it's not cheap.- One month: £44.95
- Six months: £24.95/month
- 12 months: £13.95/month
- 24 months: £11.95/month
Why it's good for university students: Chances are, if you find a match on eharmony then they're just as serious as you. A decent amount of thought and effort goes into filling out a profile, but it could definitely be the difference between wasting your time and meeting someone who's on the same page and looking for the same thing. Why waste your time on hookup apps when you can easily narrow your options to likeminded matches?
Match
Match has a huge user base and matchmaking technology, but is pricey.- One month: £29.99
- Three months: £19.99/month
- Six months: £9.99/month
Why it’s good for university students: For one thing, Match guarantees you’ll find someone, and if you don't, then you get to keep looking for another six months for free. Another great thing about Match is its "Missed Connections" feature. This part of the app uses your location to match you with people you've already crossed paths with in real life. Think about all the times you saw someone cute on campus but didn't make a move. Or better yet, think about how much more convenient it would be to match with someone who doesn't live on the opposite end of campus. Proximity is not overrated.
AdultFriendFinder
Live videos, group chats, and more monthly visitors than eharmony.- One month: £15
- Three months: £13.33/month
- 12 months: £10.08/month
Why it's good for university students: AdultFriendFinder has a surprisingly large pool of users, so there should always be people using it 24 hours a day. No matter your kinks or sexual orientation and no matter the time of day or night, there’s someone on the dating site waiting for you to share your preferences, sexual desires, and maybe hook-up with you too.
Hinge
Hinge offers dating features that no other app provides.- One month: £6.95
- Three months: £4.70/month
- Six months: £3.86/month
Why it’s good for university students: Hinge is perfect for those who are just enjoying the casual uni experience, but would consider a relationship if the right person came along. It’s easy to use and offers slightly more than the typical surface-level swiping. The fact that you’re forced to like a specific profile feature makes it easy to break the ice. Someone liked that you answered “my sister” in the “things I can’t live without” question? Aw. How sweet. Now respond back and ask them if they have any siblings. See how easy that was?
Tinder
Tinder pretty much changed the game when it comes to online dating.- Tinder Plus: £4.99/month
- Tinder Gold: £7.49/month
Why it's good for university students: Some 80% of Tinder users are millennials, which means uni kids are definitely familiar with the app. Tinder is perfect for those who aren't really thinking about commitment, but are open to having some fun with someone new. And there's nothing wrong with that. A disclaimer though: one study exposed that over 70% of college kids had never even actually met up with somebody from Tinder.
Bumble
Bumble requires women to make the first move and clears out matches if there's no immediate communication.- One month: £20.99
- Three months: £14/month
- Six months: £11.99/month
Why it's good for university students: Universities can sometimes feel like unsafe environments for women, so having a space dedicated to respect and equality is definitely a plus. Additionally, Bumble's setup pushes people to get out of their comfort zones by forcing them to make quick conversations — and isn't uni all about getting out of your comfort zone? Bumble is not marketed as a hookup app, so it's good for students who are looking for something a little more substantial than a Tinder fling.
Grindr
Grindr is the OG dating and hookup app for gay men.- Grindr Xtra Lite: £8.49/month
- Grindr Xtra: £7.33/month
Why it's good for university students: University men who are looking for casual sex, but don't want to try to hit on dudes at the bar absolutely swear by Grindr. Unfortunately, Grindr is known to be hypersexualized, so it's not the best place to find lasting love, though we're not saying it can't happen. Grindr has the option to display STD information, which is an option not found on most apps. This will also probably encourage you to get tested yourself, which you should do regularly, especially if you're having casual sex.
Online dating 101
It probably seems obvious, but the first rule of online dating is to just be yourself. It's all too easy to pretend to be someone you're not online, but that kind of catfishing game won't garner you a true connection. By being yourself and presenting yourself accurately and honestly, you open yourself up to the possibility of a great relationship with someone who likes you just the way you are. And isn't that the whole point of dating?
Don't be afraid to make the first move. Forget all those outdated rules that say a man is supposed to make the first move or that a woman can't pay on a first date. Instead, focus on finding an equal partner who helps support your goals, wants to see you succeed, and has dreams of their own.
Get a bit more creative with your messaging than the standard "Hey." If you're looking to connect with someone on campus, then open up the conversation with a question about them and a little bit about yourself. Messaging someone is more discussion group than lecture hall — it's about passing the conversation back and forth.
Once you decide to meet up — which is the entire point, after all — stay open. We often come up with an idea for how someone will be after meeting them online, and it's rare that our expectations sync up with reality. Allow yourself to really get to know this person for who they are rather than who you thought they would be before you make up your mind.
That said, it's crucial that you're honest. If you really don't feel a connection, then do the right thing and tell them. A good line to use is something like, "I've really enjoyed meeting you but I think there are probably better people out there for both of us." Not only will they appreciate your direct approach, but it will alleviate that post-date awkwardness of wondering where you stand. Ghosting sucks for everyone. Just be up front and save each of you a lot of discomfort.
On the other hand, what if you really do like them after finally meeting in person? Then what? Set up your next date while you're still hanging out. That old rule about waiting three days to call? It's dead. RIP outdated dating rules. Make plans to do something low key, and for the first few dates make sure the plans are to meet in a public place. The benefits of making a date to do an activity cannot be overstated. It provides you with ample conversation starters and gives you an opportunity to get a little competitive and joke around. Some playful teasing goes a long way. And remember: It's all about having fun.
Topics: Culture, dating, Mashable Deals, Sex & Relationships, universities
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