Soft Rejection or is she really busy

[Arsi]

Hey guys! I really appreciate if you could help me out

So two weeks ago, I asked this girl out that we've been talking on and off for a month or something like that. I know her from university. She's like four or five years below me. And we talked about one month mostly about academic stuff. And also her response wasn't bad at all. And I thought that she was into me. And also we had some personal interaction as well. We talked in the university as well .As I said, I thought that she liked me. So I asked her out to go out on the weekend. And she told me since my midterm has started, and then there is exam period coming up for the one and a half months. I cannot really go out now. And I also promised my friends to see them on the weekend. Maybe another better time.I want to know what should I do now. I don't know what this is. Is it like a soft rejection and she's not interested? Or is it something that I should pursue her, maybe after the exam period, message her? Or I should just move on with my life? I don't know what should I do. That's why I'm really confused at the moment.

[MsJayne]

Yes, it's a soft rejection. She likes you, but not in "that" way. If a girl is attracted to you, even if she has a busy schedule, she'll make time for you. 

[Sony12]

Yes when people are interested in you the way a go out on a date invitation implies they will find time no matter how busy they are. 

[ExpatInItaly]

13 hours ago, Arsi said:

Is it like a soft rejection and she's not interested?

Exactly. 

It's disappointing but I would not pursue this. 

[smackie9]

If they don't jump at the opportunity and make themselves available then it's a big fat NO. 

[FredEire]

I agree with the others. A "maybe later/too busy right now" is almost always a no in practice.

But one thing I noticed is you said that youve been talking off an on for over a month! If she's super duper into you it may not matter, but if she thought you were cute and was on the fence thats enough time that the interest might fizzle.

Next time Id say if you meet a nice girl and she seems interested don't wait for a month, ask her out on a date when you start chatting and use the momentum.

[Acacia98]

On 12/5/2025 at 8:16 PM, Arsi said:

And she told me since my midterm has started, and then there is exam period coming up for the one and a half months. I cannot really go out now. And I also promised my friends to see them on the weekend. Maybe another better time.I want to know what should I do now. I don't know what this is. Is it like a soft rejection and she's not interested? Or is it something that I should pursue her, maybe after the exam period, message her? 

I believe that if she was interested, she would have let you know when exactly she would be free. "Maybe another better time" is really vague. No one reasonable would expect you to know what that meant. And you definitely don't want to keep running after her and pestering her with the question, "Is this a better time?" So the best thing to do is view this as a soft rejection.

The next time someone you like gives you a vague answer, say something that indicates they can let you know when they're free. That way, they'll know the ball's in their court and you don't have to spend time worrying about whether you should pursue them.