Every high school has its own oddball set of traditions. School dances are always included somewhere among them. Most likely there is an event somewhere in your school’s future this fall that usually includes pairing off and parading into a poorly decorated but well-spirited room to dance the night away. So how do you go about landing a girl for the big night?

As the old saying goes, the early bird gets the worm. The longer you wait the more likely it is that she will have already found someone else. Ask her about 4 school days after the dance is announced (announced on Mon, ask on FRI; announced on Thurs, ask next Wed). This gives you enough time so you don’t seem like a stalker, but still puts you towards the front of the line.

So who is it you’re asking?

If it’s Big Crush try to be casual about it. Be friendly and fun, the type of guy she’d want to go with. If you make a big deal about it you might come across as a creeper. Try to catch her during a time when you two usually run into each other (on your way to Algebra or after track practice) but she’s not surrounded by tons of friends (maybe at her locker). No big announcements, no beating around the bush, no assumptions. Just keep it simple. “Hey ________, if you don’t have a date yet to the __________, I was wondering if you’d want to go with me.”

If you’re already in a relationship with a girl DON’T miss out on this easy way to score big points with her by making her feel special as your date. Come up with a clever/cutesy way to ask her to be your date and you’ll be the boyfriend she remembers forever. Spell it in M&M’s at the lunch table. Write a hand-written note about how great she is and why you’d be honored if she would be your date to the dance and slip it in her locker. Send her a picture of a couple dancing and ask if she’ll go with you. Whatever it is she’ll love that you didn’t just assume she would be your date and appreciate the adorable gesture.

Maybe you’re just going with a friend. That’s great! That doesn’t mean you can’t make all the other girls envious of her by treating her like a princess. If you show your female friend a good time, when the next dance rolls around you will have oodles of girls hoping you take them. Be a bit silly about it (after all, you two are friends, right?). Maybe get down on one knee and ask, “Miss (Full name of girl), would you do me the wonderful honor of accompanying me to the upcoming __________?) Make a ridiculous Valentine’s-like card and give it to her at lunch. What you’re doing is showing other girls you’re fun and know how to treat girls right (even if for now it’s just a friend).

Now it’s time to brush up on your dance moves.