Ah, the university life. A few weeks in and I can already see the difference on the faces of all the young first-years. The outfits have become less skimpy as the sun has started setting earlier in the day, and pyjama pants are coming out from the dorms. These first two months tend to weed out the people that can’t hack the big, often impersonal school we attend. Feeling overwhelmed? The best way I’ve found to keep myself focused on school is to surround myself with other people who have similar goals and interests. Your high school friends are probably great, and the parties are probably awesome, but unfortunately your GPA will probably suffer if you’re not managing your time as well as you could.

But where on campus can I meet these like-minded people? Why is Kate talking about this crap in a sex column? Good questions.

I’d like to tell you about some of the options available to you at the University of Manitoba in terms of student groups and student services. Two in particular pertain to this column a little more than others.

The first is RPM (Rainbow Pride Mosaic). This is our school’s LGBT* student service. It’s located in the basement of Helen Glass — 195 Helen Glass, to be exact — with handy signs on the wall to point you in the right direction. If you’re curious, out, or need help understanding the choices of friends and family members, this is the place to drop in. Pick up some free condoms and advice, and stay for the movie nights. The supportive attitude and friends you’ll make are worth the trip.

The second group is the University of Manitoba’s Womyn’s Centre. A queer-positive, pro-choice safe haven for womyn on campus, this student service is located at 190 Helen Glass, right next to the RPM office. It’s a great way to connect with other feminists and get involved in demonstrations concerning various human rights topics at the U of M. They feature free condoms and pregnancy tests (which can be expensive, especially for students on a tight budget), a library of resources and keep their door open all day long. Being a lady can suck – even today. With the onus for birth control being largely placed on us, this is a place where we can make informed decisions and keep our futures where they belong — in our hands.

There are tons of student groups, which you can find at UMSU.

I hope this information helps some of you make choices that suit your needs over the desires of others. Branch out, meet great people, and make choices that reflect your interests.