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By on July 12, 2017 in Academic Life

Image by thelester, pixabay.com

Living on campus might fill new students with a sense of false security. Of course, you assume the campus is a safe and secure place, but even so, reports surface every year about students on campuses being subjected to robberies, burglaries, attacks, stalking, and drunk driving accidents. The threat of a dangerous situation might be just around the corner, especially for kids who are living on their own for the first time. Here are a few tips to stay smart and safe on campus.

Visit the Campus

To get familiar with your new home, every college campus provides new students with a tour of the college grounds. Make sure you take part in the tour. Familiarize yourself with all the buildings on the campus, and find out the location of the campus security office. Visit the office and request information about the services provided by campus security. For example, some campus security offices might provide escort services at night, security apps to download, special security hotline numbers, safety zone maps, or updates about crimes on campus.

Security Measures

Your college campus is not the place to forget about security. Remember to lock all your doors at night. Lock your dorm room while attending classes or going out with friends, and lock your windows to discourage spur of the moment break-ins. Don’t walk alone at night and don’t visit ATM machines at night. Having roommates and dorm buddies is usually part of the system for new freshmen and can help keep you safe. Don’t leave money or valuable possessions out in the open; lock them up in a drawer or room safe.

Social Media

Kids away at college like to jump on social media sites to keep in touch with friends and family at home. Your posts might seem innocent but remember they can convey important personal information to strangers or acquaintances viewing your social media profile. Don’t announce your plans on social media. For example, don’t announce you are spending the night alone in your room or are going home for the weekend, leaving your room unattended.

Avoid Getting Wasted

Don’t drink and drive. People tend to lose control of their inhibitions and get reckless at college parties. This includes getting in a car and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Stop, and think for a second before taking that drink or getting behind the wheel of a car, while drinking. Is it really worth the risk? Of course not. An auto accident attorney from Denver recommends you plan for a designated driver, take the bus, or stay close to campus.

Adjusting to your new life on campus takes time. Stay smart and safe with the tips provided here.

Sources:

Bachus & Schanker Law
Entrepreneur’s Organization
Safety Chick

This article was contributed by guest author Eileen O’Shanassy.

By on July 28, 2014 in Academic Life, Colleges, Universities
Image by William Mewes, Flickr

Image by William Mewes, Flickr

Rape, kidnapping, shootings – you’ve heard the news stories of these happening, even on campus. Although rare incidents, they can happen to the least suspecting people. Often, students haven’t taken the proper precautions.

There are steps you can take to increase your safety on campus. Although taking these measures doesn’t mean you’re 100% safe, it will minimize the risk of having anything catastrophic happen to you. Use the following guidelines to safeguard yourself on campus:

  1. Avoid being on campus late at night. If you can avoid taking night classes, great. Walking around campus at night, especially alone, can be unsafe. You never know who you’re going to run into. Run any errands during the day, and don’t walk to visit your friends on campus alone at night.
  2. Travel in crowds. Always walk with at least one other person while at school, as this makes you less of a target for crimes. If you are alone and need to travel to on-campus events, campus security can walk you to and from the event.
  3. If you’re going to a party, make sure you know at least one person there. Going to a party where you don’t know anyone is risky. You’re in a private setting with people who you don’t know whether to trust. Let’s not forget some parties can get out of hand, making them the perfect setting for crime.
  4. Don’t open the door to strangers if you’re living in residence. Doing so gives him or her easy access to your home. Make use of the peephole in your door, and don’t be afraid to ask who it is before you open the door. Remember to keep the door locked and have an alarm on, if possible.
  5. Read the news and pay attention to talk about the latest crimes. This way you are not only informed, but you are also able to protect yourself. Campus crime may not always be published or broadcasted, so it’s important to listen to other people’s reports of what’s happening on campus. Even if they’re just rumours, it doesn’t hurt to keep an extra eye out.

Campuses can be breeding grounds for crime. You may worry that you will be a victim, but ease your mind and know there are precautions you can take to prevent yourself from being targeted. Only worry enough to keep yourself safe. Have fun exploring campus!