Sex is something that’s part of every student’s life in some way, whether you’re having it, wishing you were, or regretting that you did. While it may come up frequently, there are very differing outlooks on the topic. Some people have committed themselves to waiting until they’re married, others just want the commitment of a relationship, and some are just out to get what they can.

Not everyone’s doing it

It’s clear that the University’s students have a wide variety of outlooks on the topic of sex and, according to a Guttmacher Institute study made available in 2006, 46 percent of teens have lost their virginity by age 19. This is basically half the student population, and goes to show that people are on all different playing fields as they move onto Daisy Hill for their freshman year. Not everyone is having sex on the hill, but you should still keep an eye out for that sock on the door.

Charles Goldberg, Chicago junior

I think that if you’re going to end up having sex, you should make a commitment with the other person. Make sure you’re not just doing gymnastics. There are two aspects to every relationship: physical and emotional. I think if you’re dating someone and you don’t even kiss, then good luck to you. I’ve had sex with girls I’ve only known for a few days, but then we’ve stayed together. Everyone needs this time to find themselves and figure yourself out.

Tori Komsthoeft, Olathe sophomore

Since I was seven I’ve been going to Christian sports camp, and as you get older they talk to you about Christian issues you will go through. One of the talks really got to me. I don’t know who my future husband is, but I wrote his name on my heart. Every person you sleep with, you give away part of your heart to, and I want my husband to have my heart. My friends know my morals and respect me for it. One analogy I use is sex is like a Christmas present and it’s fun to want to peek at it before Christmas, but when Christmas comes it’s better to wait. I also have chosen to wait for marriage because I do not want to be on my wedding night and having to compare it to something. You know, it could be the worst sex, but to me it would be great because I have nothing to compare it to.

Cole Davis, Wheaton sophomore

I had sex fairly early on in high school. It was more to get it out of the way and sort of see what the big deal was than anything else. I don’t think I ever regretted it and always enjoyed it. After sex that first time, it stopped being that huge deal people make it out to be. I look at it as I’m young and I’m in college. I came into college with the mentality that I wasn’t going to get into a relationship. I’d rather wait until I’m older when I can put a lot of effort into a serious, committed relationship.

Sarah Coughlan, Beloit junior

My husband and I waited until we got married. It was a conscience decision. The first time is very significant for anybody. It’s something you never forget. We’d already waited and we decided “what could be more romantic?” The fact that we were there for each other’s first time because we were each other’s first time is very romantic to me. There were also other advantages, like not having to worry about STDs or pregnancy. I’m very glad that we did wait. I get frustrated when you hear someone say “Oh, everyone’s doing it,” and I don’t think that’s the case. It’s something you have to be purposeful about. Especially when we got engaged it was a lot harder. [Not having sex] doesn’t just happen, and we would like to have a marriage that lasts forever and that’s not something that just happens, either. You have to work at it.