A one-night stand means different things to different people. For some, it’s the culmination of months of staring, dreaming and yearning for that special someone. For others, it’s a random occasion that happens to occur at least once or twice a week. No matter how you view them though, one-night stands have become a staple of the college lifestyle. The question remains though: how do you deal with the situation once the sun comes up and reality sets it? This can be a difficult scenario, but there are a few key points that should be mentioned.
The first major concern is your health. If the sexual encounter was unplanned or unprotected, you could be setting yourself up for some major concerns. If worries are plaguing your mind, try heading to the Student Health Center for some much needed wisdom. The staff there can inform you about everything from emergency contraception to STD tests. These are the crucial concerns that occur after a night that may have lacked the necessary precautions.
Next, you may be faced with how to deal with your partner in crime. This issue comes down to how well you know the person. If you have just turned a simple friendship into something much more personal, be careful with your choices. If your goal is to maintain the friendship make sure to clarify this point. The person may feel awkward after the encounter or they may be expecting a much deeper commitment from this point on. Be clear about your future intentions and try to be as caring as possible to the other person’s feelings.
If the person is a stranger, then it is a different situation. You have the choice of leaving it as a one-night encounter and never interacting again. Just remember, this campus is not big enough to avoid people forever.
On the other hand, you may want to pursue something more permanent with this person. Whether that is an emotional or physical relationship, proceed with caution. Just because you may have felt a connection, that does not mean the other person did, too. Try to gauge their interest before you part ways. If they seem genuinely interested in having more time together, take down their number and store it for future reference. Also have them take your number because this is a good way to test their interest as well. If they give you a call then the ball is back in your court.
Remember that some people view a one-night stand as simply that. It’s best to guard your feelings at first since the situation is not exactly conducive to the formation of a long term relationship. Keep your options open, but do not completely write off the potential for a future relationship. Again, the key is to proceed with caution.
As you ponder where to go from this point, remember that you are not the first person to be faced with this dilemma. Nor will you be the last. On college campuses across the nation, there’s always someone taking the infamous walk of shame.