Most people go through great lengths to make their first date a memorable experience. First dates are a make or break situation, that’s why. If you make a good impression, your first date will be the first of many dates, but if you screw up, there will not be second chances anymore. It is really vital that you do well when going out with the love of your life for the first time, else you’ll forever be moping and whining about "what could have been".

But it is something that cannot be done easily. There are a few hurdles to cope with, and not least among them are first date jitters. Why do you have them in the first place? After having finally gotten the courage to ask the girl out and gotten her to say yes, you probably thought that dealing with first date jitters is going to be a piece of cake, but as the big day nears, a cloud of doubt dampens your confidence and you don’t sound too sure about yourself anymore. Suddenly, it feels like you have one million a one questions to ask and nobody seems to be there to answer them all.

First date jitters can get the better of you if you let it, so don’t. First of all, choose a place that is not incredibly romantic so the both of you will not feel the pressure. Considering it’s your first date, you will want the mood to be light and fun. Think of something you’ll enjoy doing together, like bowling, for instance, and then start from there.

Work a bit on your appearance. It is true that looks are not everything, but looking good makes you feel good, and that helps up your confidence level. Be sure to shave and wear something nice (and appropriate) on your first date. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive, really; the important thing is that it’s clean, decent, and it looks great on you.

Come early for your date; if you have set the date at 7:00, be at the venue at least 15 minutes before so you will have enough time to calm your nerves. Besides, it’s really in bad taste if you walk in your meeting place five minutes late. Instead of having a lovely evening, you end up finding excuses why you were late.

Know how to carry on a good conversation. The weather may be a good start but it will not get the conversation ball going. Remember your goal is to get to know each other as much as you can, so try to talk about things like road trips or previous date experiences that you find amusing enough to share, family stuff, common friends if you have, hobbies or something along the line. Good conversations matter a lot; not only do they make your date feel comfortable, they ease your own discomfort at the same time, and before the night wears thin you will feel as if you’ve known each other a long time already.

Don’t fall into the temptation of monopolizing the conversation. Sometimes, when you’re on a roll, it is easy to forget that you are with somebody you are trying to impress. Give your date a chance to share her story, too, and be a good listener. It always pays to be observant and be aware that actions often speak louder than words. Watch out for conversation stoppers, and encourage her to go on by mirroring her gestures.