Time at Binghamton, like at any college, is supposed to be one of growth, exploration and experimentation. Similarly, it is a time for students to leave their comfortable suburban split-level nests and flock freely into a mirage of sex, drugs and occasional studying that will come to be known as the ‘best four years of your life.’

These years include interactions with the opposite sex. Binghamton, with its variety of night life options and social circles, is home to all different types of dating scenes. Some students entering school here will find their husband- or wife-to-be from a drunken night at the Rat. Some will move on after four years spent in both Glenn G. Bartle and frat parties without so much as a copped feel or a French kiss. The majority will enter in and out of semi-dysfunctional get-togethers that are typical of most young relationships.

Most students tend to fall into similar sexual behavioral patterns when it comes to dating. ‘The freshmen students are the most easily identifiable in bars because of their over-zealousness. They tend to dress up like they’re out for a night in Miami’s hottest under-21 bars and are all looking for some ass to bring home,’ said senior Erica Narvaez. ‘To a freshman, it seems to be more of a priority to put some notches on the belt than it is to find a monogamous relationship.’

‘After the embarrassing days of random hookups in dark bars, freshmen tend to return as sophomores, juniors and seniors sans the social insecurity and sexual promiscuity of years past,’ said senior Emily Dougherty. ‘Most upperclassmen tend to branch out, make friends with different kinds of people and become a little choosier about who they allow in their bed. This may be when relationships, whether serious or dysfunctional, are given time to flourish.’

It is easy to reduce a student’s sexual adventures into overly simplified cultural clich√É©s, but it does not do justice to the very complicated and heart-wrenching world of finding love, enjoying sex, and becoming an individual and uniquely sexual person. Regardless of what point a student is at in their dating career, they shouldn’t necessarily be lumped as one of many.

With this in mind, over the course of the year, three different female students with three different sexual behaviors and situations will be observed, scrutinized and extorted for the sake of entertainment. Some readers will grow, learn, laugh and cry from a wisdom that comes only from experience and mistakes in relationships and random sexual adventures.

Victoria is attempting to work out a long-distance relationship while trying to enjoy her senior year at the same time. ‘It’s not an ideal scenario, but there isn’t a choice if being with someone is going to make you happy. It’s not really about hooking up with other people; the difficulty lies in what’s appropriate behavior. It’s a balancing act.’

Elizabeth, a senior, has been in a relationship with her boyfriend for nearly a year. He has just recently graduated and has decided to stay in Binghamton and find a job to be with her. ‘When Mike decided to stay in Binghamton for the meantime, I knew that our relationship would get more serious.’

Jettie is a single sorority girl. She’s a senior who has recently come out of a serious relationship and described herself as up for anything.

Over the semester, these three students will share their adventures in the game of love and relationships. We will be able to see a few different angles of what the Binghamton dating scene holds in store.