Freshman Orientation at Sweet Briar College

During orientation it is important to explain what college life will be like to the new freshman, but sometimes all the information can be a bad thing. There were three specific lectures freshman were obligated to attend, and they were all about sex and alcohol. For the majority of the students, it was accepted as normal college behavior; however, some students felt uncomfortable sitting in the audience. The talks were presented in a very vulgar way that included unrefined words and dances. I asked three religious students how they felt during the orientation "sex talks" and they described it as "awkward, shocking, and weird." 

-Overall, how comfortable did you feel?

"I wasn't uncomfortable about the topic, but I felt uncomfortable about them saying it was okay to sleep around if you already had the intention to in the first place." -Anonymous(non-denominational Christian).

 

"They were saying everything in a way that we were all doing it. They were giving a lot of advice." -Anonymous(Moslem). 

-Do you feel like the lectures should be optional for future incoming classes?

"No, but I would want other speakers or multiple speakers so it would suit everyone's needs." -Anonymous(non-denominational Christian).

Sex and alcohol are obviously topics that are difficult for many religious teens to face during their college years. We are aware of what our classmates are doing, but we do not need to understand everything they are doing. It is difficult to follow our way of life if we are being made to listen to vulgar advice. The lectures made the topic sound like it was acceptable behavior for college students, but according to the religious it isn't acceptable behavior for anyone.