One of the first “real world” life lessons I learned after graduating was that dating after college is a totally different ballgame.
In college, dating is relatively easy. Think about it: you’re surrounded by tons of people your own age and between parties, your classes, friends, sports and other on-campus social activities (did I mention parties?) it’s incredibly easy to meet people. Although many people do end up finding serious relationships during college, having fun and ‘keeping things casual’ is encouraged, which takes a lot of pressure off of dating. However, all of that changes after college.
As a recent graduate you’re trying to find your footing in your first “real job” while adapting to all of the other changes that post collegiate life brings. If you’re lucky, you’ll find yourself working in an organization that is full of other recent grads that you can socialize with (and possibly date); however, for many of us, this isn’t the case – making meeting people post college more challenging. As your life has become more established, so have your dating goals: you’re not ready to get married or anything, but you want to meet someone who can be more than a fling. So, what’s a recent grad to do? Easy: go online.
Like being a college student, online dating immediately opens you up to thousands of other post-college aged singles looking to meet someone. Not sure which dating site is right for you? Here’s our list of the best dating sites for recent grads:
-
Plenty of Fish –
PoF is by far one of the best online dating sites for recent college grads for one big reason: it’s completely free to join. As a recent college grad who is likely juggling rent, car payments and paying off pesky student loans, an online dating service that you can access for free is definitely a plus for many people. However, unlike other dating sites where a free “membership” is extremely restricted (ie. you’re only allowed to browse matches, not contact them), PoF’s free service includes every feature you would expect from a dating site (plus a few fun bonuses). With a free membership you get full access to the site, including searching, testimonials, favorites, and communication with other members. You’ll also gain access to PoF’s highly detailed personality assessment tests, including their “Relationship Needs Assessment Test” – which are great tools for helping you better understand your post college dating personality. Keep in mind, if you like the service there’s always the option to upgrade to a premium membership that will allow you to access even more features at a very minimal monthly cost.
With over 32,000,000 members and 2.4 billion page views every month on PoF, you can’t argue with the numbers. Whether you’re looking for something casual or a serious relationship, Plenty of Fish is a great place to go if you want to meet lots of diverse singles with little to no financial commitment. Sounds like a win/win, right?
-
Zoosk –
If you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for relationship wise, but want to stay in the dating loop by connecting with as many other singles as possible, Zoosk is another great option for recent college grads – especially if you’re the kind of person who loves using social media and wants to connect with other singles on the go. Used by over 25 million people worldwide, Zoosk is a unique online dating service because it not only connects you with a massive network of other singles, it also allows you to find potential dates within your existing social circle. One of Zoosk’s main strengths is it’s fun and easy to use mobile app. The sign-up process is incredibly simple and quick, allowing you to cut to the chase and start meeting people almost instantly.
To use an analogy, Zoosk feels a bit like you’re at a really awesome college party minus the awkwardness that comes along with potentially hitting on people who aren’t interested in you. Zoosk’s Carousel feature allows you to swipe through profiles to see if anyone catches your eye. If you want to interact with them, you can connect instantly using Zoosk’s in house, unlimited chat program. Whether you’re looking for a casual dating experience or something a bit more serious, Zoosk a great app for recent college grads who are super busy and want to date and/or hookup on the fly. With a variety of affordable and flexible membership plans, you can find what you’re looking for on Zoosk without blowing your budget.
Plus, as an added bonus, Zoosk also connects to Facebook and several email programs, working similarly to a social networking site by “finding” people you already know. After all, maybe your next great date will be with someone you’ve already met….in college.
