At a small school, getting into relationship is akin to a publicized Hollywood romance – paparazzi are everywhere.
Yep, look around. Your friends, classmates, peers – even the people you don’t know – are acutely aware when and where you are getting your flirt on. Even more, they are ready to disseminate the news of any scandalous rendezvous, free of charge, to the bended ear. For some stealthy Lawrentians, the next best thing to Gossip Girl is, well… gossip about the guy you hooked up with.
And as much as we may hate or love the fact that at Lawrence, everyone knows WAY more than your name, you should keep in mind a few things as this “the season of love” kicks into full gear.
Drunk Nights Matter
Remember that time you hooked up with that guy from bio class that you didn’t know while you had a boyfriend? Even though you may not remember, someone else will – guaranteed. And this can be a good thing: there’s usually a student willing to take home the crazy dancer at Anduzzi’s or make sure you don’t go back to campus with the “creeper”. But in other cases, a drunk night can lead to awkward interactions with people the next day and consequences beyond. With such a small web of students, remember to go out with friends you trust or count the amount of drinks you have to keep those nights in check.
Having Sex is a Big Deal
At Lawrence, getting it on can be much more tricky – and much less private – because everyone lives in the dorms. With this in mind, the first thing you need to do is eliminate the notion that your dorm room ensures the “privacy of your own home”. While there are walls that protect us from being seen, the simple fact that students have left holes in them raises ideas about what else can pass through: noise. So if you do not want to be the topic of conversation of your roommates or even passers-by, be aware of the noise you are making when you are making something else! Also, ALWAYS make sure that you are comfortable with having sex if you choose to do so, and that you do it in a safe way.
Don’t Confuse a Drunk Hookup as a Love Connection – Right AwayÂ
One of the most daunting experiences for a Lawrentian may be deciphering the meaning behind last night’s hookup. You may be interested, but was he? And while students at those at bigger schools may have the luxury of avoiding an awkward situation, we usually find ourselves smacked in the face with one. Of course, news of your hookup spreads like wildfire – from his room mate who saw you two, to friends on the soccer team, to your group of girlfriends who call you immediately the next morning. And to make it worse – out of all days – your crush will undoubtedly dine at the Warch at the same time as you. What to do? In life, awkward situations happen, but are only made worse by evasion. The best way to diffuse the tension is go and talk to him! He’s probably just as nervous as you, and going up to him will give you a better sense of how he is feeling about everything the next day.
You Will Run Into Your Ex
If you have played the dating game at Lawrence, chances are that X marks the spot on a previous romance. For those of you who have an Ex on campus, you already know that you will be sure to encounter them around campus or in class or at a party – maybe more times than you would like. However, this occurrence shouldn’t be a gossip-worthy topic. A lot of times, because the Lawrence community is so tight-knit, we find it much better to follow up our break ups with make ups. After all, it is much easier to co-exist with a person you have made amends with than one in which a problem is festering. If you take care of present and past relationships, chances are that the paparazzi will steer clear.
You may think that I am exaggerating about the level of magnification of events under the lens of the Lawrence bubble, but I would disagree. I believe people here are involved with each other’s lives, but oftentimes for the right reasons. A lot of us here are friends and really are interested in one another. However, that means our less-than-favorable nights are under the radar, too. We also live in an age of constant communication and connectedness – so whether you like it or not, people know about you. And  just because people don’t know you (A.K.A. – have talked to you) doesn’t mean you aren’t talked about. So enjoy the people around you and have a great Spring Term, but always remember that we’re in this “bubble” together!
Photo Credit:
http://www.textually.org/picturephoning/Holy%20Moly%20plans%20to%20self-…
http://cf.ltkcdn.net/dating/images/std/78701-223×251-ConfusedTeen.jpg
http://thebosh.com/archives/2008/11/celebrity_romance_will_justin_ever_m…