Going into my freshman year of college I knew the idea of the “hookup culture” was not for me. If you don't know, the hookup culture is the idea of going out on the weekend in a slutty outfit, sloppy drunk, trying to find a guy to sleep with you. Yeah… that isn't the most appealing to me.
I knew for a fact I wouldn't feed into this idea society has of what college should be like. The idea of sleeping with a different guy every weekend was disgusting to me. Now, if that is what your idea of a fun weekend is, keeping doing you. With that being said, I'm going to do me, so please don't judge me for being in a relationship my freshman year of college.
What really made me realize how bad the stigma around dating in college is, especially freshman year, was when I went home for Thanksgiving break. I went to go get my eyebrows waxed by the same woman that has been doing them for a year, so she knows me pretty well.
We started to catch up since the last time I saw her was in September, and she asked me, “So, how many guys have you hooked up with since college started?” I was taken back. Why is that the norm? Why is that even a question I'm being asked. I responded with, “Oh, actually I met a boy, and we're dating now." She immediately responded with, “What's wrong with you? Why are you dating your freshman year of college? This is a time to explore with different guys and get to know yourself."
By the time she finished basically telling me how bad of a life decision it is to have a boyfriend in college, she was done, so I paid and left.
Getting into my car driving home I was angry. Her rant to me was nothing I haven't heard. In fact, the night before I went to go see my nana, she asked, “Are you spending a lot of time with your boyfriend? Don't get too wrapped up, you're only a freshman."
Why does the year of college I'm in have anything to do with it? Why is it that dating in high school is more acceptable than in college? Some of my friends that are even still in high school that have a boyfriend think I'm making a bad decision. I just don't get what society's hang up is.
Why is the idea of hooking with a different guy every damn weekend more appealing than not only hooking up, but growing and building a relationship with the same guy?
Is it the idea of being held back? Not making friends? Not getting the “ultimate college experience?" If those are the issues, I don't feel that way at all.
In no way does my boyfriend hold me back from doing anything.
In no way does my boyfriend hold me back from making friends.
In NO way does my boyfriend hold me back from getting that college experience some dream about.
To me, the way I am experiencing college is the “ultimate experience." I'm happy. I have a great solid group of friends, I have someone I can always rely on and go to, and I don't have to worry about going out on the weekend and having grimy men hit on me.
So, the next time you want to ask me why I'm dating my freshman year of college and how much of a mistake you think it is, keep it to yourself because I really don't care.
