Virginity at university

Male:
When I came to uni, I had never been in a relationship. I was full of crushing worries about loneliness and being around happy couples throughout my time here. That’s why I was overjoyed when I met someone and got to spend my days with a person who was special to me.
We did it towards the end of our relationship, and, to be honest, I don’t really see the big deal.

For a start, I don’t see why it’s anyone else’s business anyway…

My preconceptions (which, admittedly, came from movies) were completely wrong – far from the sensual and loving experience it is portrayed to be, I found it one of the least romantic and most incredibly awkward moments of my life, and I was kind of glad when it was done. Did it make me feel better about myself? Not really, no. If anything, it just felt like ticking something off a list. Is it a problem being a virgin at uni? Again, no. For a start, I don’t see why it’s anyone else’s business anyway, and to my mind, what you get up to in private should remain there. With all the worries I had about it when coming to university, it turned out to be an incredible anti-climax, and, if I’d known that before, it would have saved me a lot of upset. I don’t believe that being a virgin should have any form of stigma attached to it, and I sincerely wish that I hadn’t been so affected by societal pressure to rush into it.

Female:
I’m a girl, 19, and a virgin. I’m not religious, have had no bad sexual experiences in my past, and I’m pretty average lookswise, yet remain flower-intact. For me, sex isn’t a goal or something to aim for, but I’m also not afraid of it. I suppose I’m living the cliché of ‘waiting for the right one.’ I’ve been in relationships before (admittedly, very brief ones), but have never felt comfortable enough to go the distance, and although that’s left some pretty dissatisfied male egos, I don’t regret it in the slightest. Your sexual status has nothing to do with anyone else – it’s about you, and only you. I don’t feel ashamed that I’m a virgin (even though I’m not quite confident enough to publish my name in this paper) but neither is it something to be proud of or hold over other people. I know that one day I’ll meet the right person and will feel completely comfortable having sex, but until then, I’m more than happy to wait.