How to get a boyfriend in high school

Winning over a guy in high school can feel like a daunting task. You might not know how to grab the attention of the guy you're interested in or even how to find the right one on your first try. While there's no magic spell to make a guy fall in love with you, you can increase your chances of finding a boyfriend by building your confidence and meeting different guys. Once you've found your ideal guy, don't hesitate to show him your interest and invite him out. If you really feel the need for a boyfriend, follow these steps. However, since you're still in high school, don't worry about growing up too fast. Plus, you'll meet your charming prince one day.

Maintain good hygiene. Keeping yourself clean and neat will make you appear more attractive. Shower and use deodorant daily to keep your body fresh. Wash your face and brush your teeth twice a day.

• You might want to shave your legs or underarms, but remember to ask for permission from your parents before doing so.

Apply light makeup if you like. Don't go overboard, just enough to make you feel comfortable. Here are some makeup tips suitable for high school:

• Gently apply mascara. This will make your lashes look longer and help catch the attention of boys.
• Consider using concealer if you have dark circles or blemishes.
• Apply light-colored lip gloss or balm. Avoid dark shades like brownish-red as they may make you look older than your age.
• Scented lotion and perfume are great ideas, but don’t overdo it.
• However, going makeup-free is totally fine if that’s your choice.

Wear clothes that make you feel good about yourself. Choose outfits that make you feel confident and beautiful. For some, it’s just jeans and a T-shirt, while for others, it could be a colorful floral dress. The more you exude confidence and positive energy, the more attractive you’ll be.

• Make sure your clothes are clean and tidy. Wrinkled clothes and coffee stains are not cute.

Be confident in who you are. Having a boyfriend is great, but don’t seek one just to feel good about yourself. Remember, you are beautiful in your own unique way. Understand your personality traits, quirky interests, and your body. The most important thing is to feel comfortable with yourself before focusing on others.

Don’t waste too much time worrying about your appearance. It’s easy to get obsessed with your looks or wish you were more beautiful or slimmer. But remember, value and personality matter more than looks. In fact, guys are more likely to be drawn to a girl’s confidence than her appearance!

Strike up a conversation with the guys in your class who are single. Are there any cute guys in your class who haven't found a girlfriend yet? Take the initiative and talk to them to see if there's any connection. If their desk is close to yours, it's easier to start a chat. However, you can also approach them before or after class.

• Starting a conversation might make you nervous, but you can always comment on something related to the class! If the classroom is freezing, you might say, “Are you cold? This room feels like the Arctic!”
• You can also ask for help. For example, ask, “Can I borrow a pencil for a moment?” or “Have you seen the homework yet?”

Attend parties and social events. A great way to meet your dream guy is to put yourself out there! Attend class parties and participate in school activities, like soccer games or student councils. The more guys you meet, the more chances you’ll have to find someone special.

• To make the most out of social events, don't just stick with your friends all the time. If you spot someone you like, take the opportunity to start a conversation by commenting on something around you.
• For example, you could say, “I really love this song! Do you know it?” If he's a fan too, you already have something in common!

Ask your friends to help you meet cute guys. Your friends may know some cute, single guys. So, ask them if they can introduce you. Having a mutual friend makes for an easy conversation starter. Plus, if your friends approve of him, he's probably a nice guy.

• You could say, “I’m looking for a boyfriend. Do you know any cute guys you could introduce me to?”

Join a club or activity that interests you. A fantastic way to meet like-minded guys is to join fun activities or clubs! Shared interests will help you connect with them.

• If you’re an athlete, consider joining a sports team like swimming or track. You’ll get to show off your running skills while meeting guys who share your passion for sports.
• Maybe you enjoy helping others. You could join a volunteer group at school to meet cute guys who share your values and interests.

Say hello when you cross paths in the hall. When you spot someone, it's important to show them how you feel. Start by greeting them with a warm smile when you accidentally bump into them. Let them know how happy you are to see them!

Ask him questions. If you have the time, strike up a conversation with the person you like and ask questions to get to know him better. Focus on open-ended questions—ones that can't simply be answered with a yes or no.

• An open-ended question could be, “So, why do you like the Star Wars series so much?”

Sit next to him. You probably spend a lot of time sitting throughout the day, so why not take advantage of that to sit next to him? Whether it's during lunch, on the bus, in class, or at a soccer game—try to sit near him. Of course, you shouldn't sit right next to him all the time—it might make him uncomfortable. But sitting next to him occasionally could be a subtle hint.

• If you're feeling bold, you could even save a seat for him!

Flirt with him. Flirting can be tricky, but it can also be quite simple! A great way to start is by gently touching his arm while you're talking. Make eye contact, smile, and tease him a little!

• Say funny things like, “Wow, you're really good at soccer...almost as good as my little sister!”
• Just make sure you're joking in a lighthearted way. If you feel like you're hurting his feelings, stop right away.

Flirt on social media. Like his photos on Instagram, tag him in funny memes, and keep an eye on your Snapchat streak. However, make sure to keep it balanced. Liking posts from months ago and sending him a series of Snapchats might come off as a little too much.

Send funny and casual text messages. You shouldn’t be texting your crush too frequently, as it might come off as clingy. Instead, try texting him every few days to share something interesting from school or wish him good luck for his upcoming soccer game.

• When replying to his messages, don’t seem overly eager. You could play it cool by responding to some of his messages after a few minutes.
• Make sure you’re both equally engaged in texting each other. If you’re always the one initiating the conversation, that could be a red flag.

Help him when he needs it. When you and your crush are friends, take the initiative to assist him. Perhaps he needs a ride to the school play, and your mom still has a spare seat in the car. If he forgets his lunch, offer him your yogurt dessert. Essentially, try to be a good friend to him.

Invite him to hang out with the group. Asking someone out one-on-one can feel a bit awkward, so it’s best to start by inviting him to hang out with the group. This way, things will feel more natural while you get a chance to bond. Plus, if you bring along your friends, they can offer advice and support.

• Go swimming with your friends and his, play bowling, or spend a day at the amusement park near you.

Invite him to hang out alone. After a few group hangouts, you might want to spend time together just the two of you. Your parents may not allow a movie date alone, but you can invite him for a walk during lunch or ask him over to your house for a family game night.

• You could say, “Hey, do you want to come over tonight? My family has an awesome game night!”
• Make sure to ask your parents for permission before planning to hang out with him outside of school.

Be honest about your feelings. If you think he likes you too and you're ready to start a relationship, it's crucial to be honest about your emotions. Even if you think you've been clear, your crush might not fully understand. You don't have to declare eternal love, just tell him you’re interested in more than just friendship.

• You could say, “I really like you, and I’d love to get to know you better.”
• Try to do this in a private setting so both of you can communicate openly and honestly.

Accept it if he doesn’t like you. Sometimes, a relationship just isn’t meant to be, so don’t burden yourself with unnecessary sadness. If he’s avoiding you, seems disinterested when you’re around, turns down your invitation to hang out, or is pursuing someone else, he might not be the one for you.

• Rejection can hurt, but there are plenty of other guys out there. Let yourself feel sad for a while, then move on, and meet someone new—someone who will appreciate you.

• Keep a few pieces of gum or Tic Tac mints in your bag. If you’re not sure how to start a conversation with your crush, offer him a piece!
• If you have a few guy friends, ask them for advice.
• Always be confident when talking to him.
• Don’t obsess over him, or you’ll push him away instead of drawing him closer.
• If chewing gum isn’t allowed at school, bring some mint candies or Tic Tacs with you.
• Don’t overdo your makeup to impress a guy. Some guys prefer a girl with light makeup or even no makeup at all.
• Be yourself. If a guy doesn’t like you for who you are, he’s not worth your time.
• You might like him now, but if you want the relationship to last, wait until high school. Your chances of staying together longer are higher.
• Always smile at him.
• Enjoy your time with him. Make him feel happy and always care about him.

• Never change who you are just to impress a guy. Any guy who truly deserves your attention will value you for who you are.
• Don’t do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable just to get a boyfriend, especially if it involves anything sexual.