Spanning many years of Cedarville history is one of the University’s most renowned traditions: Pick-a-Date. Some believe it is simply a story of Cedarville past that upperclassmen tell to scare the underclassmen. However, Pick-a-Date is still alive and well on campus today.
For the uninitiated, I will break down two of the most pressing Pick-a-Date questions: What is Pick-a-Date, and why you should participate?
What Is Pick-a-Date?
Pick-a-Date is a fun event typically put on by a residence hall. To participate in this Cedarville tradition, each participant’s roommate will send their RA or coordinator three options of opposite-gender individuals on campus that they would like to be their roommate’s date.
The RA or coordinator will then go down the list inviting the individuals to the event — however, these invitees will not know who invited them. The pairs remain a mystery until the day of the event, when everyone will gather as a group and the pairs will be revealed.
The pairs will then work together, typically in groups, to complete a fun event or challenge. Activities can vary, but scavenger hunt competitions are the most common Pick-a-Dates!
Why Should I Participate in Pick-a-Date?
There are so many reasons you should participate in Pick-A-Date, but here are my top three! Pick-a-Date is a fun way to get out of your comfort zone, make new friends, and decompress for a fun break from homework!
1. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone!
I’m not going to lie to you: The entire concept of going on a Pick-a-Date absolutely terrified me freshman year. However, when it was all said and done, I had a great time and was so glad that I had participated!
If you’re anything like me, you may be a little anxious about being paired with someone, but the challenge of doing something that stretches you or even scares you a little can be so rewarding in the end! I encourage you to be brave and step out of your comfort zone as you participate in the excitement of Pick-a-Date with your friends, hallmates, and unitmates.
2. Make New Friends!
Cedarville is such a friendly place that it’s easy to make new friends, but sometimes, it can be hard to balance investing in current friends and initiating new friendships.
Pick-a-Date is the perfect opportunity to spend time with your close friends while you make new friends in a group environment.
There is certainly no pressure to be best friends with your “date” by the end of the evening, but chances are that you will have made a new friend to see and talk to around campus. So take a chance and cherish some time with a prospective new friend!
3. Take a Break and Have Some Fun!
It can be easy to get caught up in the busyness of the semester and forget to take a break and enjoy time away from homework. But it’s so important to take the time to rest and have some fun with your friends.
Pick-A-Date was such a fun time to spend with some of my closest friends while meeting some super cool guys from around campus that I wouldn’t have met otherwise.
Ready To Pick-a-Date?
Pick-a-Date has a crazy reputation, but it can be such a fun event and a sweet time spent with both old and new friends. Just don’t forget to relax, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be best friends or even “more than friends” with your “date!”
Go into the event with hopeful expectations to make a new friend, but remember that it is supposed to be fun and natural, so stay calm and enjoy the ride as you see how the event unfolds!
Class: 2027
Major: Language Arts Education and Women’s Ministry Minor
Hometown: Lynchburg, Virginia
Favorite Bible Verse: Ephesians 2:1-10
Go-To Coffee Shop Drink: Iced Chai Latte
Fun Fact or Interesting Hobby: I deliberately never match my socks
Favorite Thing About Being A Cedarville Student: I love the Christ-centered community and the gospel-centered teaching at Cedarville!
Posted in: Campus Experience, Information, Residence Halls, Student Life