Advice: Picking up a pickup

Q: I met this really cute girl at Santa Fe right before we left school for winter break. I got her number and we spoke a little before break, but I never got the chance to see her again. I want to reinitiate contact because I feel like we had a good connection, but I don't want to seem creepy. What should I do?

A: Unfortunately, when things like this happen, sometimes you just have to eat it. You didn't man up and have your way with her when you had the chance, and now you're just a loser with some number in your phone saved as "total babe fe." The next time this happens, you have to capitalize on her tipsy advances. Often, girls go to the bars looking for a cute guy to make out with, so if you get all shy and weirdsies she probably won't care to see you again.

You should also be wary of this so called "good connection" you guys had. You both were drunk, she was a Spanish major, your sister studied abroad in Spain, you both like Chipotle, etc. This might not necessarily translate into a long-term relationship. There's also a good chance neither one of you remembers what the other one looks like. This is not terribly promising news.

If all of this doesn't discourage you from continuing your advances, here's how you should go about it. I wouldn't go straight to the sober, daytime date just yet. That's a serious recipe for disaster. You don't want to get to Starbucks and realize you have no idea which of the cute, studious girls she is and accidentally approach the wrong one. She might also think you are a freak for wanting to meet her so badly after you watched her throw up outside of Ratsie's.

Lastly — and worst of all — you might not be drunk at that time during the day, meaning you'll be less confident and she'll be less attractive.

I think you should meet her where you're both most comfortable: drunk at a bar. You also don't want to be stuck alone with her when everything goes to shit, you realize you have nothing to talk about, and you're both terrible dancers.

Casually text her on any night of the weekend when any self-respecting college girl will be out on the town. She'll be with her friends, you'll be with yours and you'll just recreate the conditions of your first magical evening.

Just say, "Hey, it's me, are you out tonight?"

She'll tell you where she is, you guys will meet up, and if all goes according to plan, you'll totally do it later that night.

College is awesome.

Esti Frischling is a senior English major. She can be reached at esti at umdbk dot com.