From our first health classes in elementary school, we've been told about the problems, pregnancies and possible persecutions that come along with sex. Aside from the idealized version of sex forced down our throats by popular culture, we rarely see sex cast in a realistic and rewarding light.
In spite of weighty risks and responsibilities, sex can and should be fun. From the weekend hookup, the junk food of the sex world, to the multi-course feast of an emotionally developed relationship, we want to expose and explore the positive aspects of sex at Bowdoin.
College is an excellent venue to investigate the myriad of sexual possibilities. For those of you just arriving on the sex scene, freshman year is your first introduction to a new world. You've just traded parents for proctors and have exchanged restrictions for responsibilities as part of the bargain. In some ways, Bowdoin provides a caricature of the adult sexual experience, magnifying some features and minimizing others. You'll find that Bowdoin is small enough that you'll constantly be running into even your most obscure hookups.
Overindulgence may lead to a hookup hangover of sorts; a constant barrage of awkward encounters will leave anyone with a headache. However, even though Bowdoin is a small place, it is important not to let the idea of encountering an ex deter your search for satisfaction. Despite the apparent moratorium on relationships, if you look hard enough, you can find a satiating sex life.
For returning students, we urge you to make the most of your year. A little daring can go a long way. Ask someone out. Meet new people. Find a new way to keep warm during winter. Check out one of the three copies of the Kama Sutra from H&L (article to follow). Try to keep up with our weekly Hookup Spot Review (see below). With the start of a new year, you have a perfect opportunity to expand your sexual horizons. As we've said, sex should be a lot of fun, so do your part(ner) to make it that way. You can be safe and be sexual.
We'd also like to introduce a weekly featurette: The Hookup Spot Review. We'll bring an in-depth analysis of the pros and cons of each location—investigative journalism at its finest.
This week we'd like to feature a Bowdoin classic: the Stacks. Although this is a public space, the Stacks remain a must-do for all students. For anyone who doesn't know, the Stacks consist of the six floors of bookshelves attached to Hubbard which are accessible through the underground tunnel from H&L. You have to be sneaky, as it is bad form to disturb people deep in their studies, and the librarians certainly won't approve. Of course, you'll have to plan ahead for this one—attempting a hookup during peak library hours is not a good idea. Also, it is important to remember that the floors are transparent, and anyone seated below you can (and probably will) look up. That being said, find a nice dark spot and try to keep noise to a minimum (remember, this is a library). Good luck!