In the opening scene of Season 3, Episode 1 of "The Sex Lives of College Girls," Bela receives the devastating news that her GPA is too low to facilitate a school transfer. She's informed that she must return in the fall semester and focus on improving her grades. The narrative then swiftly transitions to the fall, where Leighton and Alicia return to Essex after a long, shared summer vacation. Alicia steps away for a phone call, prompting Leighton's dad to curiously speculate whether she's chatting with another girl.
Meanwhile, Whitney settles into the Kappa house, her eyes catching an alluring basketball player during the move-in process. The remaining girls feel a sense of unease with Whitney's absence, as she hasn't returned Kimberly's calls due to her passionate kiss with Canaan. Intriguingly, Kimberly and Canaan haven't made significant strides in their relationship since that encounter.
Bela, having been booted out of the Foxy, declares her intention to take a break from comedy. She resolves to become a better person this year and, when Frude seeks a volunteer, Bela seizes the opportunity to serve as a Freshman Advisor (FAF) to assist the incoming students. However, her new role quickly turns sour when she's mocked by a freshman named Taylor, who undermines her authority by critiquing her fashion sense and GPA.
As Kimberly searches for an apology gift for Whitney, tension escalates during soccer practice when Whitney vents her frustration on Kimberly. Adding fuel to the fire, a new girl joins the team, posing fresh competition for Whitney. Back at the Kappa house, Whitney faces penalties for skipping a sorority event to attend soccer practice.Kimberly confronts Whitney, but her sorority sisters, eavesdropping on the confrontation, swarm around Kimberly and physically eject her from their house. Meanwhile, one of Leighton's math classes is canceled due to poor attendance, prompting her professor to suggest taking a comparable course at another institution.
Later, Leighton uncovers the mystery behind Alicia's frequent phone calls. Alicia has secured a job with the Mayor of Boston and plans to withdraw from Essex to relocate there. During the Y2K party, Alicia confesses her love for Leighton and expresses her reluctance to terminate their relationship. Fortunately, Leighton reciprocates her feelings and shares the same desire to keep their bond intact.
Whitney's ongoing struggle with differing views among her sorority sisters resurfaces at the Y2K party, where they pressure her to conform. At the bash, Kimberly and Canaan attempt to initiate their first romantic encounter, but it quickly becomes apparent that the chemistry is just too uncomfortable. Ultimately, Kimberly decides that her friendship with Whitney is too valuable to sacrifice.
Bela coerces the former friends into a closet, insisting that they reconcile. Reluctantly, they mend their fences and emerge as friends once more. Witnessing their reconciliation, Leighton remarks that Bela might actually possess the makings of a fine Friendship Ambassador Facilitator (FAF).
The episode concludes with Leighton candidly confessing to her professor that the bus rides required to attend her desired math classes were beyond her tolerance—an endeavor she attempted but found utterly miserable. In response, her professor gently but firmly points out that Essex might not be the ideal academic haven for aspiring mathematicians like her. He then plants a seed of hope by asking if she has ever considered the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, conveniently located in Boston, where Alicia will soon be residing.
