How can I ask a girl out if I don't know where to find her

[Edan]

There is a girl in my town that I am interested in so much, I want to ask her out.
But the problem is that it's hard for me to find a place to meet her (I saw her about a week ago, and I did not have the opportunity to talk to her).
And I have been struggling to find a way to meet her again.

What I have is two things:
* I found her on Instagram (By coincidence).
* I know which university she studies in - unfortunately, I don't study there.

What is the best way to reach her out if she doesn't know me?

Keep looking for a way to create a real-life interaction (how can I do that?)
Or follow her on Instagram and text her there?

How should the first interaction be?
Instagram, or real-life?

[MsAin1st]

Having some person I’ve never met reach out to me on Instagram for a date seems a little creepy. I wouldn’t like that. 

[boltnrun]

Where did you "see" her a week ago? 

Is she someone who went to your school or worked where you worked? Is she friends with some of your friends?

[Wiseman2]

23 minutes ago, Edan said:

I saw her about a week ago, and I did not have the opportunity to talk to her.
Instagram, or real-life?

Online or in life stalking is generally considered creepy. You don't know her at all so trying to pick her up isn't a good idea.

Is this the same girl?:

 

[MissCanuck]

30 minutes ago, boltnrun said:

Where did you "see" her a week ago? 

Is she someone who went to your school or worked where you worked? Is she friends with some of your friends?

I was going to ask the same thing. 

How did you go from seeing her once, to finding her online? 

[smackie9]

When you force it, it's never meant to be.

[Capricorn3]

If I guy I have never met before approached me out of the blue and asked me out I would say no, simply because I have no idea who he is or how he even knew who I was.  Not sure how this will work for you OP, if she doesn't even know you.

[Coily]

Best to put this pursuit on pause.

Now if you two moved in the same circles or venues, then strike up a conversation; but don't ask for a date. In this day and age you could land in hot water doing too much info gathering.

[catfeeder]

How did you find out who she is? 

That's your starting point for finding ways you can be introduced to her or socialize with some mutual friends over time.

Key word is 't.i.m.e.' because if you try to rush this, you'll come off as creepy rather than desirable.

Be patient, and learn ways to get to know her before acting out, or you'll blow it.