Advice

Finding a special someone can be tricky. Here's some advice about where to start, getting out there and not panicking if it doesn't happen straight away...

The agony of choice

With all those millions of fit, eligible fish in the sea, you'd think it would be easy to find a suitable boyfriend or girlfriend. But sometimes it's the hardest thing in the world.

One by one, all those fish get ticked off the list. Either they're not the right one for you, or worse still they're perfect - but aren't interested.

So how do you go about finding that special someone?

Trial and error

You can't expect to get it right first time, so going on dates is a good way to test people out. Most of us go through our share of dull hotties, exciting weirdos, nasty charmers and kind ogres in the quest for true romance. Either that or it's a long barren spell. Experimenting is good, even if only to make us realise what we don't want.

Get out there

You need a bit of luck to find someone good, but you can make your own luck. That simply means putting yourself in situations where you meet new people. It could be a party, an after-school club, a new hobby, the gym, a charity event, a speed-dating event or even a website. You don't have to hold up a sign saying 'I'm single'. Just be approachable and friendly and who knows what might happen. You could work on your chatting-up skills too.

Don't panic

If it never seems to happen, remember there's no rush, especially when you're young and fancy-free. Some people have a new snogging partner every week, but you have to ask yourself whether you want a fling or something more meaningful. If it's the latter, you might have to be patient before you hook up with your prize catch.