You could also try saying something playful, like “I need help! I just can’t make up mind. It’s killing me. Should I get the chocolate chip cookie or the brownie?”

If you’re at a coffee shop, you might say, “There’s nothing like a warm cup of coffee on a cold day, is there?”

Keep it simple, like “Could you pass the salt?” or “Would you mind handing me that creamer?”

You can also take a few minutes to bolster yourself. Tell yourself you can do this! Also, put in perspective. What’s the worst that could happen? If she doesn’t want to talk to you, it will hurt, but it won’t be the end of the world.

For instance, she might say, “Yes, coffee is the best! It warms me up from the inside!” You could say, “I know! What’s your favorite type of coffee drink?”

Most people find confidence attractive. Even if you’re not feeling confident, faking confidence is often enough. Plus, faking it with body language will make you feel more confident!

Look at her eyes to see if her smile seems real. If a smile is genuine, it will reach all the way to her eyes, and you’ll be able to tell. If she’s just being polite and smiling at you, the smile will look a little fake instead. [8] X Research source Check to see if the smile lifts her cheeks and crinkles her eyes, which is a sign it’s genuine.

Alternatively, if you see negative body language, you may want to wait to approach her. Signs of negative body language include her crossing her limbs, turning away from you, frowning, holding her body stiffly, or looking off to the side.

Similarly, if she looks like she’s hard at work on something, it’s not the best time to approach.

No one likes to hear someone go on and on about themselves for 30 minutes. Encourage her to talk about herself instead!

For example, instead of asking, “Do you like rock music?” you could ask, “What’s your favorite kind of music?” If she gives a short answer, ask a follow-up question, like “Who’s your favorite pop singer?”

You could also open up the possibility for hanging out some other time. For instance, you might say, “Hey, you feel like getting coffee sometime?”

It can be painful, but don’t take it personally. You don’t know what’s going on in her head right now. She might just be too worried about her grade right now to think about going out with anyone.