Sex, drugs and rock and roll! Everyone has heard this ever-popular mantra. But how many of us have friends that have run out and done just that so far this semester. Growing up, mom and dad didn’t let us out of their sight and kept track of our every move. But here we are at college, with as much freedom as every other adult. Some people make wise choices, and some people do not.

One ever-present “elephant” on campus is the access and ability to have alone time with the opposite sex. Does that mean we should all just go jump in bed with the first person we meet? NO! Just because you think you are an adult now doesn’t mean that you should compromise yourself and the moral values that mommy and daddy taught you.

Going out multiple nights every week, getting smashed, hooking up with people and waking up for an 8 a.m. the next day is not cool and will be detrimental to your health. Think: STI’s (sexually transmitted infections). How would you like to tell someone you have herpes? Then you wouldn’t get any action. If you do not know the person you are with and they don’t know you, why would they tell you if they are infected?

But if you are going to have sex, be safe about it. Know where to get help and who to go to if you need it. There is a confidential and incredible health care center located on campus along the boulevard near Umphrey Lee, with a great staff that is there to help.

Ladies-get some birth control and regular checkups. Guys, get protection – no one is ready to be a parent yet. There is a huge fishbowl of condoms in the health center for your convenience-go grab some. Going to the center is totally confidential as long as you are 18 years old, and your parents cannot find out. You can pay cash, use pony or bill it home.

We have all seen the movies of people having one-night stands, waking up the next morning and realizing they are with the love of their life. Yeah, this probably won’t happen to you. So why not stay sober, and get to know that lovely lady or handsome gentlemen you are talking to. Otherwise, you’ll have a coyote ugly on your hands. This may seem funny to some, but remember why you are here.

The weekends at SMU are awesome and filled with fun stuff, but if you are too hung-over to wake up on Friday, there goes the $40,000-a-year down the drain. In summation, be safe, get protection and don’t do anything stupid.

About the writer:Rachel Carey is a freshman journalism major. She can be reached at [email protected].