Summer is fast approaching for us patient patrons of Washington State University, and with it comes high hopes of upcoming months filled with elation, flirtation and lack of precipitation.

However, when it comes to summer romance, if one is not careful, there can be a high chance of waterworks, regardless of the forecast.

Fortunately for us and the friend who takes care of us when we are drunk, there are a few key things we can keep in mind when considering the lucrative idea of a summer fling, that will keep the less-than-romantic possibility of spending our Saturday nights weeping on bathroom floors to a minimum.

First off, it is important to note the difference between anticipation and expectation. Despite the fact they can at times be used interchangeably and happen to rhyme, unless you’re participating in a freestyle rap-off, it is a good idea to have a solid understanding of the difference between these two.

It is completely healthy to anticipate the possibility of a summer dalliance; however, issues can arise when one begins to single-mindedly expect it. Unfortunately for us (and more explicitly our bank accounts) we are not in a Nicholas Sparks movie.

Trust me. I too would love to bump into Zac Efron in the backyard one day, and subsequently embark on our inevitable fairytale romance. Unfortunately, in real life, causally hanging out in people’s backyards is looked down upon and, also, I haven’t found Zac’s address.

But this is not to imply that one cannot be somewhat proactive when searching for a special summer-someone. Getting out of the house, making eye contact, and overall just putting yourself out there are apparently essential parts of meeting someone. An untouched laptop never Netflixes. And unfortunately for those of us partial to the horizontal life, good things in life oftentimes require some modicum of effort.

Additionally, there are a delightful plethora of different approaches that one can take when seeking a partner. I personally prefer the fishing approach.

*Catches feelings* *Immediately throws them back*

Most importantly though, keep in mind that one does not necessarily need that special someone to have an awesome summer vacation. There are lots of other ways to make sparks fly, including (but not limited to) Fourth of July parties, irresponsibly large bonfires, and tossing “The Notebook” out of your bedroom window.