Sarah woke up one Sunday with an aching pain in her throat. The night before, she had felt a bit sick after a week of intense studying and paper-writing. But, deciding her sanity was more important than her health, she threw back a few shots of Jose and hit the town with her girlfriends.

Rubbing her eyes the following morning, she was greeted by a lightly snoring Derek at her side. Crap, she thought, Colin is going to be so pissed.

Disheveled, Sarah grabbed her scattered clothes and headed to the bathroom to put herself together before enduring the never pleasant walk of shame.

“Ohmigodd!” she practically shouted. Her neck was as thick as her head and her eyelids so swollen she might as well have just lost in the ring against Mike Tyson. Splashing some cold water on her face, Sarah ignored the absolute atrocity that was her appearance and briskly walked back to her house.

Loading up on DayQuill, NyQuill, and hot tea galore, she spent the day nursing her moral and physical hangover — as well as her cold. Hours later, still feeling lousy, Sarah went to the student health center and got a strep and a blood test. The result: She had mono.

Rather than worrying about the state of her body, or (more importantly) her liver, she immediately worried about her hookups. She had both Colin and Derek on a cycle, wasn’t serious with either of them, but had swapped enough saliva with both to infect their bodies with the pesky virus she now endured.

Do I tell them? she pondered, Or just risk it and hope they both get lucky? Read More »

I realize that most of us don’t live at home anymore; that most of us are no longer in high school or living with parents. But I stumbled upon this study recently and can’t stop thinking about it. In a nutshell (because I know the last thing you came here to do was peruse some scientific study), Dutch parents support their teenagers’ sexuality – even letting them have sleepovers – and it results in lower STI and lower teen pregnancy rates. Some of the lowest in the world!

Perhaps the Dutch are onto something – something we need to think about as a generation who will, most likely, have children of our own someday.

Having survived high school, it’s interesting to look back and see how different my friends’ parents were from each other and from mine. Some friends had absolutely no communication with their parents about sex or sexuality, some were taught it was wrong and immoral, others that it was natural and acceptable – so long as you’re smart about it. Read More »

Did this week go insanely slow or was it just us? Maybe it was the lack of excitement at the VMAS or maybe it was the lack of any celebrity scandals (like, LiLo pull it together and do something crazy. We misss youuu). Either way we’re very ready for the weekend. But just in case you weren’t around this week, here’s what you missed:

- Fashion Week distracted us from everything. The clothes were amazing and the coverage was even better.

- We were wowed by all the Welcome Week photos that came pouring in this week. We laughed a lot. And then cried because we miss college so much. And then shared a bottle of wine.

- Will.I.Am reminded us that he’s not only extremely talented, but also a great addition to the Sesame Street family.

- We decided that Lady Gaga’s meat dress crossed the line. Like what’s next – lamb chop lingerie at the Grammys?

- Also fantasy football sucks. Did you know some boys choose make-believe sports over real life sex??

- Turns out your friends, your Bffs, your galpals have been lying to you about washing their hands post restroom usage. What else have they been lying about? Read More »

I remember when the Gardasil phenomenon first started.  Commercials for the vaccine were played on MTV approximately every three seconds, and within weeks, everyone I knew was rushing to the gynecologist for their three doses.  And why wouldn’t they? The commercials and doctors promised that the vaccine would prevent cervical cancer and who wouldn’t deal with the momentary pain of a shot when it comes with a promise like that?

For the few of you who haven’t had your doctor insist you get it (if there are even any of you out there), Gardasil is the vaccine that promises to help prevent certain kinds of HPV, including the two types of the virus that are often the cause of cervical cancer.  Because there are no real symptoms of HPV, it has become an epidemic and doctors have urged patients to protect themselves with this revolutionary injection.

But while the vaccine can do amazing things, it has also devastated thousands of lives. Read More »

Use these.

Well, it’s back to school time again. Along with new teachers, new classes, and new assloads of work, we’re also going to be finding ourselves in a sea of new faces – which means one thing: fresh meat.

Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, college campuses everywhere will be packed with new people to party with, new people to study with, and yes, new people to have sex with. We all know the first few months of school are typically when the hormones of many kick in (this goes back to the “fresh meat” thing), and people everywhere are gettin’ busy. A lot.

So before we all pack up our stuff, say goodbye to free food and laundry and head back to school, here are a few STI facts to keep in mind when checking out all those new sexual prospects come September. Read More »

I still remember the date I had sex for the first time. It was July 16^th, and I was 16 years old. It’s odd that I remember the date, I realize, especially because it wasn’t any kind of mind-blowing experience. Looking back now, 16 seems really young – but it worked for me because I was ready. I had gotten on birth control, bought condoms, and, for lack of a better term, was ready to “get it over with.”

While I was far from the last of my friends to “lose it,” many of my close friends had already had sex, which put me in an advantageous position; I got to ask lots of questions. During these girl talk sessions, I heard the regular tidbits: it will hurt, you will bleed, and (what I was most mentally prepared for), you’re going to feel intensely attached to whoever “deflowers” you.

After a lot of anticipation, on a hot Monday afternoon,  I had sex for the first time. The moment came, the deed was done, and as I sat on the couch watching Yes, Dear with the guy I just had sex with, more than anything, I was confused. I didn’t feel any different. I didn’t instantly fall in love, I wasn’t sore, and I didn’t really understand what all the fuss was about. What’s the big deal with virginity if I’m going to be the exact same person after I do have sex? Read More »

Yeah, not gonna happen. Thanks.

Sometimes, against our better judgment, we put ourselves in situations that we would rather not be in. Whether it’s too much flirting or too much tequila, sometimes we send mixed signals. One thing leads to another, hands are creeping towards places we don’t want them to go and we realize it’s time to put the breaks on. We need to say no.

Sometimes this is easier said than done. Sometimes there’s that “point of no return,” where it’s just awkward to stay stop – even though no one should ever do something sexually they’re not comfortable with. So, what’s the solution?

For starters, avoiding situations where things can get carried away is a good place to start. Don’t go alone somewhere with someone who you don’t want to fool around with — into a bedroom at a party, for example. Limiting the chances of unwelcomed advances in awkward/private situations, and setting very clear boundaries before getting into that kind of predicament is a pretty good idea too. Saying something along the lines of “I’m only comfortable with _________” or “I’m only going to ___________ with you” is both fair and assertive enough to get the point across. Read More »

Question for La Tuff? Answers may be available at TuffyLuv@collegecandy.com. While supplies last. Void where prohibited.

Dear Tuffy Luv,

My boyfriend and I have been dating for almost five months, and until recently, it has been amazing.  About a month and a half ago I began taking the pill – Loestrin 24 Fe – out of necessity.  The condom broke a few times and I had to take Plan B.  At first I was pleased with it.  My skin’s clearer, my hair (which had thinned in recent years) is thicker, and I haven’t had any weight gain.  There’s only one side effect.  But it’s a BIG one. I’ve been an emotional wreck. I’m crying on and off frequently and not am as talkative/friendly/outgoing.  In general, just not myself.

I know my boyfriend (and also my bff/roommate) sees a big difference and it’s definitely put a strain on things.  I get unreasonably upset if we have to cancel plans or can’t hang out.  I’ll get teary during a phone conversation and have no explanation for what’s wrong.  We used to have so much fun together but my change in personality has put a damper on things most of the time.  I’ve tried explaining my situation, and I know he tries to be understanding, but he just doesn’t know how to deal with me.  I don’t know what to do anymore.  Should I forgo the pill and go back to condoms or wait it out and see if the side effects subside?  I can’t imagine another pill having the same positive effects and no negative side effects.  Any advice is much appreciated, as the clock’s a-ticking and I don’t know how much longer he’ll be willing to put up with my shenanigans.

Please Help!!
BC Bitch Read More »

Ben Bator learned how to college at Michigan State University and even went to class enough to earn a degree in Advertising. Since then, he has read millions of examples of what to do (and not to do) in college through his website, Texts From Last Night, which he started in 2009 with his friend Lauren Leto. If ever there was an expert in all things college, it’s Mr. Ben Bator. (Or, as I like to call him, Master Bator. Ha!)

Want to know what to do and what absolutely-under-no-circumstances-no-not-even-when-you’re-drunk not to do? Let’s turn to the Dalai Lama of college debauchery to find out.

Do: Hook up with someone in your dorm

This is the one thing that everyone tells you not to do, but chances are that you will anyway. Let’s face it – it’s convenient. The 2:30am “Whats up” text is more innocent and the victory lap is far less stressful than a cross-campus speedwalk in the morning. Most advise against this for reasons that relate to the awkward proximity in the aftermath of the hookup. Having been through this, it’s really not true. Here’s what really happens: it’s awkward the first two times you see the other person. Then you see them 38 more times that week and it’s either on again or it’s no big deal. But, if you choose to take it to any other kind of level than a simple nod or wave, see #2.

Don’t: Date someone in your dorm.

While hooking up may create a few awkward situations, dating someone in your dorm is likely to make ALL of your relationships suck. Roommates will slowly come to resent you (and that “whore”/”man-whore” you’re dating), new friends will turn into former acquaintances and your relationship with the new boyfriend/girlfriend will turn your Friday nights into a dinner “date” off-campus and deciding between Grey’s Anatomy Season One or Two. Raaaage! But if you’re still sure that this won’t be you & he/she is “totally different” than anyone you’ve been with before, I’d advise that you look into transferring dorms as to avoid the inevitable awkward “we live in the same building” break-up. No one wants that. Read More »

Many of you will be stepping onto campus this upcoming fall, finally free of your parents. It’s your first year of college, and you just can’t wait to be free and come home late….or not at all make your own decisions. What you don’t realize, however, is how much those parental units have done for you while you were living at home. And trust me – this is something you’ll realize fast.

So I’ve compiled a list of eight things every college student should know how to do now that they aren’t living with their parents. Prepare yourselves, people. If you don’t know how to do these things, either learn now or make friends who do and are willing to do it for you to teach you.

1. Laundry – Obviously you are going to have to do this some time or another. No matter how big your closet is, how many pairs of underwear you stock up on, or how many times you spray Febreeze on your jeans, eventually you are going to need to come face to face with the industrial washing machine. And when you do, you better believe you’ll want to be prepared so you don’t end up with teeny, tiny jeans and Jungle-Juice stained halter tops.

2. How to iron – For those job fairs, semi-formals, and when you didn’t feel like putting your clean laundry back in the drawers and left them sitting in your laundry basket for weeks on end.

3. Safe sex – Duh. Put a raincoat on, and pop that pill. Also, get tested. Because like they say in The Hangover, “that sh*t will come back with you.” Read More »