Confessions of a Co-Ed

Patricia is the diary-writer and central figure whose four years at Stafford College explore love, scandal, and female autonomy. She loves Dan but faces social scrutiny after Peggy's accusation, leading to a strategic marriage with Hal while bearing Dan's child. Her resilience is tested as truth, loyalty, and duty pull in different directions, and she ultimately wrestles with what happiness can be salvaged from a fractured situation.

Dan is the object of Pat's affection whose actions become the catalyst for much of the drama. He is drawn into a complicated affair with Peggy, which leads to his expulsion and a later return, where he declares his love for Pat and seeks to marry her. His choices reveal a conflict between desire and responsibility, culminating in a willingness to commit to Pat despite past betrayals.

Hal is Pat's husband, whose jealousy and sense of propriety drive much of the early tension. He is caught between protecting Pat and contending with the truth about the child. Ultimately, Hal agrees to a divorce to allow Pat and Dan to pursue a future together, illustrating a complex mix of control, concern, and sacrifice.

Peggy serves as the catalyst for much of the conflict, manipulating events to win attention and influence. She accuses Pat to protect her own standing and manipulates Dan into a relationship, then withholds the truth of the letter. Peggy's actions drive expulsions and shape the course of Pat's and Dan's lives.

Dean Winslow represents the authority of Stafford College, enforcing the rules and adjudicating the consequences of the students’ actions. He embodies institutional judgment, weighing the right course of action in the wake of scandals and expulsions.

Dean Marbridge is another administrative figure within the college, contributing to the governance and disciplinary processes that shape the students’ lives. Her presence reinforces the formal structure that governs campus behavior.

The child of Pat and Dan becomes a pivotal emotional element that influences decisions and loyalties. The existence of the child is a central factor in the evolving relationships and the eventual search for a stable, truthful family arrangement.