Sex And The University

September 27, 2012
By: Daniel O'Carroll

With Fresher’s Week drawing to a close, the flu being in full swing, and hangovers leaving a feeling of death, some people are left reminiscing over their numerous hook-ups throughout the week, trying to count off their victims but finding they haven’t enough fingers (or toes) to do so. But do we shun this promiscuous behaviour? No. If we were in the real world such antics would possibly put you on par with a prostitute (albeit an unpaid one), however by being in a University bubble your sexual exploration seemingly becomes acceptable.

University has become an unlimited speed-dating experience with constant hook-ups and sexual connections, sparked by the off chance of giving someone your “come to bed” eyes across the dance floor. You’re hardly being a slut when your friends are egging you on, right? Friends want their friends to “get with” the hot guy on a night out – mainly for the entertaining stories the next morning, providing the sordid details, or about how it only managed to last 30 seconds – but hooking-up is cheered on like a sport. You either wake up the next morning feeling like a sexual deity, or having sneaked out not long after he fell asleep you’re soon regretting it. Sex at University is full of highs and some less-than-average lows.

But why so much sex? It is seemingly regarded as socially acceptable that University is the time for exploring your sexuality, as ultimately sex is a natural part of growing up. This openness to explore also lends itself to many students deciding to “come out” during their time at university, thanks to the sexually open and accepting nature of the university lifestyle. For many, university is the key that unlocks the ever-fortified chastity belt put in place by the parents. Once being unlocked, this newfound sense of independence unfolds out onto a world of sexual pathways free from constraint just waiting to be explored – almost like a yellow brick road into your pants. When exposed to a new location away from home, that’s brimming over with attractive new faces that are of the same age, it is only a matter of time before you become a child in a sweet shop, drooling over the delights in store. When the drink is flowing seamlessly, it’s anyone’s game, and anyone and everyone is up for it (unless you happen to be in a committed relationship prior to arrival, but even then that doesn’t always stop the person). Boys kiss girls, girls kiss girls, boys kiss boys, boys kiss inflatable sheep; you name it, it probably happens during drink-infused tonsil tennis. Sex is ultimately an in demand commodity at University.

Yet whilst it’s all well and good to explore and aid your growth, should University really be all about reckless sex with random partners? Think how awkward it would be to have a seminar group knowing you’d slept with half the people present. Or how embarrassing it would be to make constant trips to the medical centre for STI screenings (after all, university is one of the most common places for sexually transmitted infections amongst young adults, and it’s easy to see why). Whilst it’s all part of the fun of living away from home, self-respect ideally shouldn’t be forgotten and neither should practicing safe sex, otherwise you could see yourself degreeless and with child. It doesn’t hurt to carry around condoms, and after Fresher’s Fayre you ought to be stocked up for the long run.

I guess you do only live once so in theory you ought to make the most of it. A night out shouldn’t however, always be about hooking-up and finding the next quick fix. Sometimes it’s nice to leave the hooker heels at home to rest, just party it up with friends, and steer clear of prowling partners.