Look, dating can be hard. If it weren’t, Sex and the City wouldn’t have lasted six seasons and two movies. And Cambridge, though hardly comparable to the rough-and-tumble streets of New York, provides its own set of challenges to those on the dating scene. Short and intense terms, essay stress, lack of sleep: these are all factors that contribute to the quest for romance being put on the back burner during term time. We may not all have been lucky enough to spend this summer being competitively yearned for by sun-kissed New England brothers either, but with this new season comes new possibilities – so why not give it a try? This may have been the summer you stayed single, but autumn is a fresh start.

“Dating apps can very quickly turn into a Groundhog Day-style nightmare”

Of course, for those of us with a right swipe and a dream, dating apps are the go-to method for putting yourself out there. But that dream can very quickly turn into a Groundhog Day-style nightmare, endlessly partaking in the cycle of scroll, match, maintain weak conversation with blurry-imaged individual, meet, repeat.

Alternatively, you could try your luck in Revs this Michaelmas but (and I’m no statistician) I’d assume the chances of finding a deep love connection there aren’t totally in your favour. So, why not delegate the tedious task of searching to us and get fixed up on a Varsity Blind Date? All you have to do is fill out a Google form and voilà – a match!

Not convinced yet? Hear me out for five reasons why you should entrust your love life in the very dedicated hands of Varsity Matchmakers.

The more you know…

Intentions aren’t always clear when you see someone that spikes your interest, in person or otherwise, but on your Blind Date you can rest easy knowing that you’re both arriving with the same simple goal: to show up and see where things go. With no time wasted on pre-date getting to know each other just to get there and have the sense that your expectations differ too widely, a blind date gives you the luxury of meeting someone without any idea of what they’ll be like, what you’ll have in common, or what it’ll lead to – it’s an opportunity to enjoy the experience and go from there.

“At the very least, it’s a story”

Spice up your life!

Despite Cambridge being a beautiful, interesting city, life here can easily become monotonous, the picturesque buildings and busy streets losing their charm as you become wrapped up in more to-dos than you can handle. So, with that said, go on a Varsity Blind Date for the plot – if nothing more. Shake up your week by testing the chemistry between you and a complete stranger. At the very least, it’s a story. At the very most, you could find someone to brighten the dreary Michaelmas days ahead. You’ll never know if you don’t try.

Tailored for you

There are thousands of students at Cambridge who will relate to your packed schedule and busy workload. Let us take it a step further and personalise the pool for you. Your answers to our application will help us to make a more informed decision about who your perfect match could be. Why shop off the rack when you can get something tailored specifically for you?

“Let us personalise the pool for you”

Emotional support friend

If the idea of walking up to meet a stranger alone is too much to bear, consider signing up for a double blind date. Picture this: there’s a lull in conversation, you and your date both turning red and grasping at anything remotely relevant to say – when all of a sudden, your partner-in-crime swoops in and saves you from potential disaster. Maybe more is merrier after all.

Keeping it fresh

The first few weeks at uni are a blur, and after all the new faces and places, it can be tempting to quickly establish your comfort spots around town and settle in. I, for one, stepped into Spoons my first night at Cambridge and have rarely frequented any other pub since. To really make the most of the Cambridge experience, though, you ought to give the city a chance to show you what else it has to offer. A blind date could be the push you need to explore somewhere new with someone new.

Obviously, I’m biased, but I really do believe that a blind date could serve as the reminder you need of what there is to still discover outside of your bubble. What’s the worst that could happen?

Sign up for your blind date here!