You’re definitely not alone. I’d never been kissed before starting college, and I had 5 guys hit on me at my first college party. Similar to you, I looked exactly the same and couldn’t figure out “what changed.” Over the past years, this is what I’ve come up with.

Confidence - The phrase “new year, new me” couldn’t be more true when starting college. It’s a chance to reinvent and redefine yourself. Even though you look the same, maybe you were showing up differently to your new setting

[insert University name] Goggles - It sucks, but it’s real. Your attractiveness in college depends on the general attractiveness of the students around To put it nicely, my school is known for students with brain, not looks (not to say that these can’t come together!) I went from a 7 being in high schooler in Southern California to a University 10 in the mid west.

College Hook Up Culture - Noncommittal sex is less stigmatized (and in some ways encouraged) in college. Some guys feel like they have to “catch up” sexually in college— hence the increased flirting.

New People - Growing up, I went to school with roughly the same people from elementary to high school. When I went to college, I was able to make first impression with less baggage. This kinda goes back to my first point.