Erica Catherman - The Girls Guide to Conquering Life: How to Ace an Interview, Change a Tire, Talk to a Guy, and 97 Other Skills You Need to Thrive

You will need :

• A guy who said yes to a date with you
• Confidence
• Pen and paper
• Money
• Transportation

Time Required:

1 hour of planning

I f you want a date to go great, you will need to put some thought and energy in before you two go out. The best way to ensure he brags to his buddies about your great date is to dedicate some T.I.M.E. to pre-planning and preparing. Heres how.

STEP

T hink it. Try to think about the date from both your perspectives. What would he like to do too? What do you have in common?

STEP

I nk it. Write down your date ideas on a piece of paper. Brainstorming is a creative way to test an idea, see potential conflicts, and identify your best options. Consider costs, transportation, timing, and perhaps even getting the okay from both your parents.

STEP

Map it. Once you have your best idea written down, map out your plan.

• When is the date? Day, evening, night?
• When does the date begin? He needs a specific time.
• What is your budget? A date can get expensive, so set a budget and stick to it.
• Who is paying? Going dutch is good if you want to keep things simple. (See How to Decide Who Pays on a Date.)
• Where are you going? Be specific. For example, plan for dinner at a specific location vs. finding a place.
• How will you get there? Will you meet him there? Will you pick him up, or will he pick you up? Will you be driving?
• When does the date end? If youre the one driving, have him home on time. Be specific and honor your commitment. This is one way you will gain the favor and trust of his parents.

STEP

Enjoy it. Have a fun date. Hopefully he will appreciate the effort.

Did You Know?

Many states have laws for new drivers restricting unrelated passengers and driving during certain hours. If you will be driving, know the laws before a police officer explains them to youin front of your date.