College Sex

Part of my work at the NSRC yesterday involved answering some questions from the Golden Gate Xpress, the student newspaper at SFSU.

I was intimidated at first with the idea of actually having to answer someone's questions about sex, but as Chris (my NSRC boss) explained, this was part of the future that I wanted working in sexuality. The piece for the newspaper was on the benefits for a college student to have a healthy/active sex life. With all the work I've done in the MA program so far, of course my first thoughts turn to, what students? Are we talking about the middle class majority able to afford college? Are we talking about students that are sexual minorities? Are we talking about the ablebodied definitions surrounding what it means to be active and healthy?

I didn't have the answers to these questions so, I tried to apply the holistic sexual literacy message I embrace here at the NSRC. I tried to the answer the questions with a sense of humor, figuring the audience would appreciate a laugh. However, upon receiving feedback, I was hit with a reality check which I greatly appreciated. It seems I have a thing for exclamation points. Guilty as charged. 

I'm not the one writing the column, the journalist is. He came asking questions, looking for expert opinions, and I was meant to supply that. I was essentially doing the job for him, writing up a cute little college sex column, when all he wanted were answers to his questions about sex, stress, and midterms.

What I finally ended up doing was reframing my responses in a way that answered his questions and left it up to him to interpret and work with. In other words, I liked my original idea better, so that's why I'm posting it here.

This is what I would've liked to see run in the newspaper:

--What are the benefits of a college student with an active/healthy sex life?

Sex has been shown to reduce stress levels, and increased stress is associated with a lowered immune system, headaches, and trouble concentrating. If you’re immune system is working great thanks to all the de-stressing sex you’re having, you might be less likely to miss class because of a cold.

Also, during sex, hormones are released that elevate one’s mood. Having sex before class, rather than thinking about it during, might you put you in a better mood where you’ll be more awake and less distracted.

Sex can also be a fun way to burn calories and lose the freshman fifteen!  --Please explain how a student can explore sex and learn from sex, similar to college in general.

Enroll in a course on human sexuality! Chances are the person sitting next to you is interested in the subject of sex also, so it could be an easy way to make new friends.

Students can explore sex by communicating openly and honestly with their partners. If there is something in class that you don’t understand, you ask the professor right? Asking your partner what they enjoy can help make sex more fun for both of you. If something isn’t working, figure it out together.

Looking to sit in on a course and see if it fits your major? Try something new with your partner, like blindfolds or ice cubes, and explore what feels good.

Sex isn’t a four year degree where you become an expert in just one thing. You have a whole lifetime to explore, learn, and earn your PhD in being sexy! 

 --How can a student lower his/her stress levels through healthy sexual relationships?

Sex can take your mind off that physics test you have in the morning, that way you’re enjoying the idea of bodies colliding instead of worrying about their trajectories.

Having an intense sweaty session can be great way to get rid of some steam.

Take a warm relaxing bath at the end of the day, by yourself or with a partner. Use that time to unwind, be lazy, and melt away at someone’s touch.     --How would sex help a student do better on his/her midterms?

You and your partner can play a game of strip-study! Quiz each other on materials for an upcoming midterm, each correct answer can mean an article of clothing lost. Once you’ve covered all the topics, or lost all your clothing, you’re naked anyway so you might as well celebrate the learning.

Reward yourself, or your partner, for working hard towards that ‘A’ all semester. Try that position or toy they’ve wanted to use, or treat yourself to some much deserved alone time after all those study groups.