5 Back To School Safety Tips for College Students
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College is an exciting environment designed for learning, growing, and experiencing new things. As new students head off on this exciting new adventure it’s easy to overlook the many dangers that are hidden all around a college campus. That’s why we’re shining a light on some college campus safety tips. So, whether you’re heading to campus for the first time or just heading back for the start of a new year, listen up! These are tips that every student should know!
Never Walk Alone
You’ve probably heard the saying “there’s safety in numbers” a time or two. Well, there’s a reason for that. It has some truth to it! A person walking alone is far more likely to be attacked than a group of people. Why? The answer is simple. It’s much more difficult to control and account for the reactions of multiple people than it is to control a single person. If you have the option to walk in a group instead of alone, do it! Some schools even offer free safe escort programs to their students![/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” up=”20″ down=”20″]
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Heads Up, Cell Phones Down
Staying alert and aware of your surroundings is imperative. You should never walk with your nose buried in a cell phone, or anything else for that matter! That sounds like a silly thing to have to remind someone about, right? I have seen countless students rushing to class while studying notes before a test, or staring at their phones, completely oblivious to what was going on around them. You are much more likely to be attacked or hit by oncoming traffic if you walk with your nose stuck in a book, cell phone, or other electronic device. When you are oblivious to your surroundings you are an easy target for attackers and may inadvertently be putting yourself in danger.
Carry Some Form of Protection
It’s unavoidable that at some point or another you will be walking alone on campus. When that time comes, you should expect and prepare for the worst instead of hoping for the best. You can do this by carrying some form of protection. Protection can come in many different forms, but one of the most common is pepper spray. Having pepper spray, or another form of protection, on you can help defend you from an attack and give you time to attract help or get away.
Take A Self-Defense Class
When you take a self-defense class you will learn to use your body as a method of protection. There are different moves that you can use to counter an attack should the need ever arise. These classes are particularly beneficial in helping you to raise your awareness in your environment and for helping to boost your self-esteem and confidence. Self-defense classes also help you learn to channel your fear and the resulting adrenaline in a way that can increase your chances of survival.
Get To Know Your School’s Safety Policies
In addition to familiarizing yourself with the school’s campus, make time to investigate the safety procedures your school has in place. As previously mentioned, some schools offer free safe escort services. Others offer night shuttles, emergency panic buttons placed in well-lit areas around campus, or active campus patrols. Knowing the services and safety procedures that are in place will ensure you make more informed choices regarding your safety.
We’ve only covered a few of the many ways to ensure your safety on a college campus. We firmly believe that the best way to protect yourself is to stay informed. Be aware of what’s happening on campus, be aware of your surroundings, and do everything you can to minimize your risks. It is our hope that the safety tips we covered today will help you to stay safe and make the most of this new school year.
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