As the season of love approaches, many students are wondering what to do with their significant other this Valentine’s Day. What does one get their significant other? Flowers and chocolate seem too cliche, but sometimes it’s all one can afford. It’s not like a trip to the jeweler is possible: one can’t be in debt for a necklace and student loans.
Then comes the question of where to go. Montclair is a great town for shopping, events and going out to eat, but that’s precisely why the town will be more crowded than your parents’ car when you go on a family vacation. Good luck booking a reservation for anywhere except McDonald’s.
So what can you do to celebrate love this Valentine’s Day without going off campus or spending money? Let’s take a look:
1. Take a walk on the skyline.
Perhaps Montclair State University’s best-known feature, the campus offers a wonderful view of the New York City skyline behind a few buildings. This is the perfect place to take a romantic selfie with your partner with the Big Apple in the background.
Additionally, there are some places to sit and enjoy the view of the skyline. Stone Hall has a balcony with seats and tables, as does the area behind the Center for Environmental and Life Sciences. These locations are perfect to have a romantic picnic and to tell your significant other why you love them so much.
2. Grab a cup of coffee at Cafe Diem and enjoy the vibes.
Although an on-campus dining location may sound cheesy, Cafe Diem is exactly the perfect spot to have a coffee date. Inside, the cafe has a modern look with plenty of seating, and there’s also an area outside where students can enjoy their hot beverage and the smile on their partner’s face.
Speaking of which, the cafe offers a variety of coffee, tea and other beverages, as well as sandwiches, melts and snacks. This is a perfect opportunity to go to lunch with your significant other, or just to grab a cup of coffee and spend some time with them. (Psst… buy them a chocolate chip cookie, and they will melt like the chips inside.)
Cafe Diem makes for a great romantic spot to grab a cup of coffee and a treat as sweet as your date.
Sal DiMaggio | The Montclarion
3. Get away from it all on the terrace of the School of Business.
Typically a location only known to business students, there is a terrace on the fourth floor of the Feliciano School of Business. You can head on up here after you grab something from The Venture Cafe a few floors below. Although this balcony may not provide a skyline view, it’s still a good place to spend some one-on-one time with your partner.
The terrace of the School of Business is a good secluded place for some quiet time with your significant other.
Sal DiMaggio | The Montclarion
4. Believe it or not, the library can make for a great date spot in a few different ways.
You may be looking at me like I have five heads right now, but I’ll explain. The library on campus is a hidden gem for those wanting to get some quiet time. This can work in a variety of ways for couples on Valentine’s Day. If you have a videotape or DVD that you want to watch with your significant other, you are able to rent out a viewing room to do so.
Got a romantic playlist for your partner? The library also has listening rooms to listen to CDs and records. Just be sure to book these spaces out in advance online.
5. Any resident student can make use of the lounges and common areas inside the dorm halls.
Want to watch a movie with your date? Well, if you are a resident student, be sure to snag a lounge in your building on the big night. Order some delivery and bring your laptop and HDMI cord. You and your partner can snuggle on the couches under a blanket and enjoy a classic like “Grease” or “When Harry Met Sally.”
Movie watching isn’t your only option, however, most residential buildings have areas where students can play games like pool, foosball and ping-pong. This is especially fun if you and your partner are competitive. (Although you might want to let them win so their feelings don’t get hurt- you want the date to go well, of course.)
There’s no shortage of options when it comes to romance on campus. As long as you know where to look, you can make this year’s Valentine’s Day one to remember.
Now stop being afraid and ask your crush out. They won’t say yes if you never ask them.
