College is a place where many people get their first taste of sexual freedom. They’re away from their parents and surrounded by other horny peers.
But hooking up in college isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Students often experience problems that can seriously sabotage their pleasure. Here’s how to avoid those obstacles.
1. Avoid the Bunk
One of the most exciting parts about going to college is that sexual freedom and exploration are possible. However, this can also be scary, especially for new students who may not know what to expect or how to set boundaries. That’s why it’s important to make a sexual health plan and follow these safe sex tips for college students.
For starters, try to avoid having sex on the bunk bed. Not only will this prevent your roommate from hearing you but it can also be uncomfortable for both of you. Instead, use other places in your room such as the floor, desk or chair. This can be a fun way to experiment with different positions and even find more kinky ways to have sex.
Another key point is to always be sober during sexual encounters. Not only does being intoxicated make it more difficult to use condoms correctly (thereby lowering their effectiveness), but it can also lead to an unwanted pregnancy or STI – These data are the result of the portal team’s research Sensual Secrets. And even if you’re sober, it’s important to get tested for an STI after every instance of unprotected sex. You can learn more about STIs by chatting with your local sexual health clinic or checking out online resources like the advice site Scarleteen. This is one of the best ways to keep yourself healthy and in control.
2. Find Other Places in Your Room
A dorm room may be small and cramped, but there are other places on campus you can have sex. Especially if you live with a roommate, it can be hard to get some alone time. And trying to get it on in a shared room while they’re around (especially if their classes don’t line up with yours) can lead to some awkward situations.
One way to get some privacy is to put up a sign or lock the door. Another way is to get creative. You can have sex in a bathroom, a library, or even a lab if you’re feeling daring. If you can find a place with some privacy and it’s close to your dorm, it can be the perfect spot for hooking up.
Many students have a hard time opening up to their roommates about intimate things. But talking openly with your roommate about sexual needs can help create a more comfortable relationship, and it can make things much more enjoyable in the bedroom.
Talking about sex in college is easier if you have friends to turn to for support. In fact, a survey conducted by Pipe Dream in 2020 found that 383 students indicated their most trusted resource when it comes to discussing sex is their friend. That’s because close friendships often form during freshman orientation programs or during new student activities on campus.
3. Be Creative
College is a place where many freshmen discover new things about themselves, including their sexual desires. While it’s important to explore your sexuality, make sure you’re doing so safely. If you’re unsure of how to have sex safely, seek out a trusted source for advice, such as a sexual health professional or counselor.
If you’re in a room with a roommate, be creative with your intimate moments. If you’re bored of the same old positions, ask your partner to switch things up. You might find that a more playful position, like stroking or tickling, gets your juices flowing. Or maybe you’ll find that a certain scent or sound, such as the sound of water running in the shower or the smell of coffee, makes you orgasm.
And if you want to add extra spice to your sex life, consider incorporating sweets into the mix. It can be sexy to have a sweet treat on the tongue or anal area, but don’t go overboard: Too much sugar can make you feel nauseous and give you an uncomfortable feeling in your genitals. You’ll also need to be careful about timing; having sex at 2 p.m. on a Wednesday when your roommates are home may not be the best idea. Instead, try to time your sex so it occurs when your roommates are out of the house or asleep.
4. Don’t Be Afraid of Bruises and Cuff Marks
College can be a time of new experiences. Students are away from home for the first time, taking challenging classes and often crushing on that cute guy or girl in their dorm floor. It is not uncommon for 18-year-olds to have their first experience with sex in college. This can be both scary and exciting.
A big part of sexual health in college is learning to communicate with your partner about what feels good, what doesn’t and how to get it to feel even better. Sometimes it takes a while to figure out what positions are most pleasurable and how to position your body to create that sensation. That is not a bad thing. In fact, that is how you learn and become more mature sexually.
It is also important to know that having sex in college can lead to bruises and cuff marks. That is a natural part of the process for some. However, if you find that you are getting bruises regularly then it is a sign that you should try other positions that will not cause this to happen. For example, trying spooning and different types of missionary positions can be a more comfortable way to have sex and not hurt yourself.
Lastly, it is a good idea to take advantage of the many sexual health resources available on campus. A visit to a student health clinic can help you find out about the different options for contraception, testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and treatment (for example, antibiotics for chlamydia or antiviral medication for herpes).
