The first part of the new season of Bridgerton was released on Netflix on Jan. 29, 2026, just days before the kickoff of the month known for love.
This season follows the free-spirited second son, Benedict Bridgerton, who is referred to as a “rake” in the show. Benedict’s love story is transformative, turning him into a man yearning for his mysterious love. But dear readers, how much of this love story is an accurate illustration of how love works? Let us compare!
In the fictional romantic world, the availability of love is determined by a social calendar known as the “marriage market.” The marriage market usually lasts from three to six months, during which high-valued families attend balls and parties, where Queen Charlotte often scouts out the “diamond” or the most eligible bachelorette of the season.
How does this translate over to reality, and especially on college campuses?
The environment has changed. College students have traded their luxurious silver heels for busted-up grey Vans. Instead of ballrooms with impressive chandeliers, students have the opportunity to attend musty, overcrowded rooms lit up with LED lights that could give one a seizure. Is this the new definition of romance? If you are lucky, the bachelors of campus will invite you into their 10-by-10 foot room where you can experience a large dose of claustrophobia.
Baker’s senior student, Frankie Beydler, explains that even though there is a small dating pool at Baker, she encourages students to try to connect with their peers within student organizations to find potential matches with individuals who share similar interests.
Even though the environment might be drastically different, gossiping has always had its way in any social setting. To no surprise, it’s not different on a college campus. While there is no official Lady Whistledown, there is her evil cousin, who has taken the form of an app, YikYak. YikYak is a location-based anonymous app, used on and around college campuses. Here, college students can spread the recent gossip, functions, and even misinformation to thicken the plot.
When asked if YikYak compares to the admired Lady Whistledown, Beydler said the two are not necessarily the same. “I think that most people who post on YikYak are not trying to write a well-worded opinion piece, but rather just make a quick remark. Lady Whistledown is listening and getting the inside scoop, while people on YikYak often don’t know all the details,” she remarked.
Some might be wondering why students around campus continue to watch dramatically romantic shows. To this author, it seems like the perfect getaway from the less-than-romantic nature of today’s college campus. While we’ve swapped lavish balls for themed frat parties, many still dream of finding their one true love during the prime social season.
