Talking to your crush at school can feel like a nerve-wracking mission, but it doesn’t have to be!
You don’t need a grand opening line or a perfect one-liner; sometimes, the best way to start is just with something simple and real.
Finding the right words to say can actually be fun – whether you are sharing a class, passing in the hallways, or waiting in line for lunch.
If you are ready to move past those “should I or shouldn’t I” moments – here are some easy ways to start a conversation that might just get you one step closer to your crush!
How To Talk To Your Crush at School For The First Time
Approaching your crush for the first time, especially if you are shy, can feel like a big deal – but it does not have to be a high-stakes situation!
In reality, a lot of people feel the same nerves when they talk to someone they like.
If you are wondering how to get the conversation going without sounding awkward, when both of you have never spoken before –
here is a step-by-step guide to help you make a great first impression with confidence (or at least seem like you have it).
1. Start with a Casual “Hey!”
This may seem super simple, but a quick “hey” or “hi” with a friendly smile is a perfect, low-pressure way to get noticed.
Keep it light, make eye contact, and do not worry if it is brief. A smile can go a long way to show that you are open to talking, and it does not require a whole speech. Examples:
- “Hey! How’s your day going?”
- “What’s up? Heading to [next class]?”
- “Hey, [their name]! How was the test?”
2. Use a Common Interest to Break the Ice
If you have a class together or see them at lunch or an after-school club, that is the perfect excuse to help you start a conversation, and it shows you are noticing what is happening around both of you.
Try simple casual comments like:
- In class: “Did you get what Science teacher was talking about today?”
- In the hallway: “Are you going to the pep rally? I heard it’s supposed to be pretty cool.”
- Waiting in line for lunch: “Have you tried the cafeteria pizza? I’m still on the fence about it.”
3. Give a Genuine Compliment
Compliments are a great way to make someone feel good and show that you’re interested in them. It does not have to be deep or super romantic — a casual compliment like “Cool jacket” or “I like your sneakers!” feels natural.
People love compliments, and it opens the door for them to say something back to you!
Try to compliment something unique to them so it feels more personal, such as:
- “I love how you explained that in class!”
- “Your handwriting is so nice! Mine looks like chicken scratch.”
- “Your presentation was so good; it made me actually want to do the project.”
4. Mention Something That is Happening Around You
If you are walking to class, waiting in line, or sitting nearby, use whatever’s happening to start the conversation. This shows you are observant and gives them an easy chance to join in.
Examples of what to say in front of your crush at school:
- “Did you see what happened in the cafeteria today? It was chaos.”
- “Have you heard about the new movie everyone’s talking about?”
- “This hallway is always freezing, why don’t they turn up the heat?”
5. Ask for Their Opinion on Something Simple
People enjoy sharing their opinions, especially about something fun or relatable. Lighthearted questions not only get them talking, but also help you get to know them better.
Try asking a low-pressure question, such as:
- “What’s your favorite song right now?”
- “Are you more of a pizza or burger person?”
- “Got any recommendations for good music?”
- “What’s the best show you’ve watched recently?”
6. Use Humor (if you are up for it)
If you are someone who loves a little joke or has a goofy side, let it show!
Humor is one of the best ways to make someone feel comfortable, and it helps you both relax. Just make sure it is something lighthearted that won’t leave them confused.
Examples of funny starters:
- “I’m pretty sure the cafeteria food is actually from a science experiment gone wrong.”
- “If I mysteriously disappear after the next math test, just know it was nice knowing you.”
Talking To Your Crush in Class: Additional Tips and Examples
It does not matter whether you are in middle school, high school, college, or university –
talking to your crush in class at school is a perfect opportunity to get to know them, without needing a dramatic opening line or a special excuse to start a conversation.
You are both in the same room, sitting near to each other, probably going through the same challenges (or boredom!), and there are tons of little moments you can use to strike up a chat.
#1: Asking for help is one of the easiest, most natural ways to talk to your crush in class. Whether you actually need help or just want an excuse to chat, this tactic gives you a reason to start a conversation with him / her without making it seem like you are trying too hard.
Just keep it casual, and don’t worry if it is a quick question! Examples:
- “Do you understand this problem? I’m totally lost.”
- “Did you catch what the teacher just said? I missed it.”
- “Can I borrow your notes for a sec? My handwriting’s a mess today.”
If they are helpful, you can follow up by asking if they are interested in studying together, which could give you more time to talk and get to know each other.
#2: Make a joke about the class. A little humor can go a long way to breaking the ice and making your classmate crush feel more comfortable.
Whether the class is super boring, the teacher just said something weird, or there is something funny about the lesson, making a light-hearted comment shows that you are observant and fun to talk to.
Humor is a great way to bond! Examples:
- “Do you think we’ll ever actually use this stuff in real life?”
- “Does this class always feel like it lasts forever, or is it just me?”
- “I think my brain stopped working after the first ten minutes of this lesson.”
#3: Compliment something specific in class. If you have noticed something unique about your crush, mentioning it is a great way to show you are paying attention, and it is good to make them feel seen.
You can keep it casual by focusing on something small or something they are good at in class, such as their handwriting, their backpack, or their presentation skills.
A compliment makes your crush feel good, and shows you are paying attention to her/him.
- “You have the neatest handwriting! I’m jealous.”
- “Nice backpack! I’ve been looking for one like that.”
- “You’re always drawing in the back of your notebook; your doodles are so cool.”
- “Your presentation was really good! I’d have been way too nervous to pull that off.”
- “I noticed you’re always reading something interesting. What’s your current favorite book?”
#4: Ask their opinion on something class-related: Asking for their opinion gives them a chance to open up and share her/his thoughts – and they might just ask for your thoughts back!
You could ask about the lesson, a project, or even a question the teacher asked that you are curious to hear their take on. Examples:
- “Do you like [subject] or is it just me who’s lost here?”
- “What did you think of that last project? I was struggling with it.”
- “What did you think of that movie/documentary we watched in class?”
#5: Additional examples of things you can say to your crush in class, without it feeling awkward or forced:
- “I swear, this teacher can talk forever!”
- “What’s your trick for acing this class?”
- “That last quiz was brutal. How’d you do?”
- “Want to compare quiz answers after class?”
- “Ugh, I forgot my calculator. Can I borrow yours?”
- “Do you think we’re gonna get homework today?”
- “This new seating arrangement is terrible. Agreed?”
- “Do you ever get bored in here? Or is that just me?”
- “Do you ever just completely zone out in this class?”
- “You are really good at this stuff! How do you do it?”
- “What’s one thing that would make this class better?”
- “Why does math (or any subject) have to be so hard?”
- “Can you believe how much homework we get here?”
- “You always seem so chill in here. What’s your secret?”
- “Have you ever had a class more boring than this one?”
- “Any chance you’d want to study together for the quiz?”
- “What’s your favorite class? This one’s definitely not mine.”
- “The teacher’s shoes are awesome today. Ever notice that?”
- “Did you understand the homework? I could use some help.”
- “If I end up totally failing this, I might need you to tutor me!”
- “I feel like I’m gonna fall asleep. How are you staying awake?”
- “Do you have any tricks for staying focused? I’m so distracted.”
- “I noticed you’re pretty good at [subject]. Do you actually like it?”
- “If you had to rate this class from 1 to 10, what would you give it?”
- “What do you think of the new seating chart? Kind of weird, right?”
- “Do you know what’s coming up on the next test? I need to prepare.”
- “Have you started on the project yet? I haven’t even thought about it.”
- “Do you know what the answer is? I don’t want to look totally clueless.”
- “I’m thinking about getting some snacks for the next class. Want anything?”
- “This assignment is way harder than I expected. How are you doing with it?”
- “If you could be anywhere but here in class, where would you be right now?”
- “You seem to get all the answers in [subject]. Have you always been good at it?”
- “How do you stay organized with all these assignments? I’m struggling to keep up.”
Talking To Your Crush in The Hallway at School: Additional Tips and Examples
Catching your crush in the hallway is an excellent chance to say a quick “hey” without the worry of being overheard in class.
If you see your crush regularly in the hallway, it is easy to make these chats a routine. Once you are used to saying “hey” and chatting briefly, it can build up to longer conversations.
Hallway chats are usually quick, so don’t stress about having a deep conversation. Just keep it easy and light, while a smile goes a long way in making you approachable. It’ll put both you and the girl / guy at ease.
If you are wondering how to talk to your crush in person at school while they are rushing to their next class or hanging by their locker, here is a guide on what to say and what to do.
#1: Why hallway is great for starting a conversation?The hallway is a casual place where everyone’s on the go, so bumping into your crush or walking in the same direction gives you a natural reason to start talking.
When you see your crush in the hallway, test the waters with a simple “Hey!” or “What’s up?”. This friendly approach is casual, super low-key, and it shows you are interested in talking without making it a big deal.
(Pro tips: Don’t be discouraged if they just say “hey” back and keep walking. Next time, your crush will likely remember you!)
Then, you can start with a short chat. If it is going well, keep it going. If not, you can wrap it up and both head to your next class.
Hallway chats are spontaneous, and can turn into a regular thing – which helps build a connection over time without it feeling forced.
#2: Ask about their next class or the previous / last class. Since you are both headed to class, it is easy to ask something about it. It gives you something immediate and relatable to talk about, and it is also a chance to bond over shared experiences.
This is an easy way to get a conversation started, especially if you have the same class or teacher. It also gives you an idea of what they are into or struggling with, which can come in handy later!
(Pro tips: Read their body language. If they seem interested and responsive, keep going! But if your crush is distracted or not really engaging, it is okay to wait and try again another time.)
Examples:
- “Ugh, off to history. What about you?”
- “Heading to math? How are you finding it?”
- “How was [teacher’s name]’s class today? I heard it was rough.”
#3: Mention a shared class or upcoming school event: If you have a class or activity in common, bring it up! It is a great excuse to talk about something you both know, and it can lead to more natural, casual chats.
Mentioning something you share gives them a reason to reply, and they might even take the conversation further if they are keen on talking to you. School events are something everyone knows about, and you might even get the chance to hang out together if he / she is interested in going.
(Pro tips: You don’t need to make it obvious you have a crush – just focus on building a good vibe and being yourself.)
Examples:
- “Are you going to the pep rally this Saturday?”
- “Do you think [school event] will actually be fun?”
- “I saw your [project, art] in [class] – it was awesome!”
- “Did you do the homework for [shared class]? I’m already lost.”
- “Are you signing up for the field trip? It could be a nice break from class.”
#4: Share Something Funny That Happened in Your Day. Everyone loves a good story, and sharing something funny from your day is a great way to keep the vibe light and interesting.
If you have got a quick, funny story, this is your moment! If they laugh, they’ll feel more relaxed, and your crush might share something funny back, too. Examples:
- “I swear, every time I walk into [class], I immediately forget everything we learned.”
- “I just tripped over my own shoe in front of everyone in the cafeteria. Smooth, right?”
- “I forgot my homework in my locker and had to sprint back – my teacher was not amused.”
#5: Additional examples of things you can say to your crush in the hallway at school:
- “Mind if I walk with you?”
- “That hoodie looks really cool on you!”
- “Hey, what are you doing after school?”
- “I’m headed in the same direction – let’s go!”
- “If you could teach any subject, what would it be?”
- “Did you catch the game last night? It was intense!”
- “What class are you off to? Lucky you, I have math.”
- “I keep seeing you in the hall – fate or coincidence?”
- “If you could skip any class, which one would it be?”
- “What’s your go-to after-school snack? I need ideas.”
- “Whoa, it’s freezing in here! You feeling the chill too?”
- “What’s one thing you’re looking forward to this week?”
- “Hey! Almost halfway through the day – surviving okay?”
- “Ever feel like school is one big maze? I’m constantly lost.”
- “Did you watch [TV show/movie] last night? So good, right?”
- “Looks like we’re going the same way. Wanna walk together?”
- “Have you been to [local cafe/hangout spot] before? Worth it?”
- “What’s one thing you’d change about this school if you could?”
- “Hey! I’ve seen you in [another class or club]. How do you like it?”
- “You heading to [after-school activity]? Thinking about going too.”
- “Are you in [extracurricular activity]? I’ve been thinking of joining.”
- “Any plans this weekend? I need something fun to look forward to.”
- “I can’t believe it’s only [day of the week]. Feels like it should be Friday.”
- “Hey, I heard you’re into [their hobby or interest]. Got any recommendations?”
- “Are you going to the basketball game this weekend? I might go with some friends.”
- “Do you have any tricks for memorizing stuff? I can’t remember half of what we learned.”
- “Did you see that huge poster in the hallway? Looks like we have a school spirit week coming up.”
#6: Say Goodbye Confidently. When it is time to split ways, say goodbye in a way that shows you are happy to talk to her/him and would love to chat again. This keeps things positive and leaves them looking forward to the next time you cross paths.
Ending confidently lets them know you enjoyed the conversation and leaves the door open for next time. Examples:
- “See you in [next shared class]!”
- “See you around! Catch you later?”
- “Hey, I’ll catch you later – don’t get lost!”
- “Well, gotta run to class! Talk to you later?”
- “Talk to you later! Let’s survive the day together, right?”
- “See you around! Hope the rest of your day is awesome!”
Final Recommendation: Just Be Yourself
This one may sound cheesy, but it is true: being genuine is way more appealing than any “perfect” line.
You don’t have to be outgoing or a smooth talker. If you are shy, it is okay to show that a bit – it can even be kind of charming.
Remember, they are just another person, and they are probably more focused on their own stuff than on anything you say or do. Just be friendly and genuine, and they’ll see the real you, which is exactly what you want.
Don’t overthink it too much! Keep it natural and relaxed. Sometimes the best moments come when you are not planning every word.
Trust that you are cool enough as you are, and don’t be afraid to take that first step. The best way to get comfortable with someone is to be comfortable with yourself first.
If the first conversation feels awkward, just remember that everyone has to start somewhere!
