Class can be…well, for lack of a better word, intimidating. All those people you don’t know, the professor standing up, and the larger than life classrooms (if you went to a big school like mine!) are a huge step from the small, comforting, friend-filled high school classrooms you’re used to.

Lots of times, when you’re in a new class in college, you can feel overwhelmed, embarrassed, and hesitant to speak up and give your two cents.

Unfortunately, slinking into the last row doesn’t always work; lots of classes base a part of your grade on participation, so speaking up is necessary. But, everyone gets those butterflies - the fear of being wrong or of giving the wrong impression is scarring and, for lots of people, a risk not worth taking.

I had a Psychology class my freshman year of over 550 people. Seriously, seriously scary. I never said a word. Sat there with my nose in the books and kept quiet until one day when the professor polled the entire class. Simple enough, right? Well, when I shot my hand up, face down of course, I noticed the room got extremely quiet. I looked up and realized that, out of 550 people, I was the only person who had raised a hand. So the professor asked me to stand up and explain why. It was then or never, so I got up, legs a little wobbly, and grew the courage to speak up. Read More »

When I saw this my only thoughts were What. The. F**k?! Why, why was this permitted to be patented?

For those unfamiliar with the Rapex, it is an “anti-rape condom”. Basically, it’s a condom worn inside of you with barbs that, should any man put his hoo ha where it is not welcome, it will be stuck with barbs removable only by a doctor.

Naturally, this raises a few questions, many of which can be answered by the website’s extremely helpful FAQ section.

The first question, of course: “When should I wear the Rapex?”
According to the website I should wear it when I: “travel long distances alone, on a train, working late, going out on a date with someone you don’t know too well, going to clubs, or in any situation that you might not feel comfortable or even just not sure.” So I guess I should just be practicing constant vigilance? At no point in my day should I forget that I– as the owner of a vagina–am always susceptible to rape, and this device will always allow me to have it in the back of my mind!

Secondly, how does this change my relationship with, ya know, the other half of the human race? Well, I know I don’t have to worry about my boyfriend being hooked, “unless you are in a violent relationship and you do get raped by your husband or partner. The choice is then yours whether to wear it or not. ” Whew! Thank you Rapex, for giving me that option! Read More »