Stay Safe on Campus: Essential Tips & Tools for a Safe College Experience
Disclaimer: We are not safety experts, but solely recollecting actions we took to protect ourselves when going to university that made us feel safe.
This is not going to be a fun article, like the ones we’ve written before on kitchen organizing, or the hobbyist articles regarding coffee. This is a rather serious article, but it covers an important topic that is worth reading and taking note of. With a younger sister one year out from attending college, I feel tasked with the responsibility of teaching her all the life skills I picked up that have kept me safe. With the recent news of increased violence against women, I was reminded of how little college freshmen are prepared to be safe. I certainly never had a counselor or mentor sit me down and give me tips on personal safety. As a soon to be college student, it is best to be aware of these tips and facts before going out for that one fun night with your friends. I hope these can help you out.
Before Going to University:
Check how your college or university ranks in terms of safety. This website, https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/, provides data for almost all US universities. You can even compare schools you are debating between attending. Once you select your university, you will see the contact information of key safety individuals. Take the University of San Diego for example. Now, the data is initially disturbing. However, they provide you with the information of the Security Officer, the Fire Safety Officer and the Lead Title IX Coordinator with their phone numbers and emails. I would save ALL of their contact information in your phone, and keep a physical copy on you at all times.
Next, take a look at the data. It is definitely disheartening to see, but be aware of the type of incidents that take place on campus. I would also click on the tab regarding VAWA offenses, which include Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking information. Again, these are troubling numbers, but know that you are entering university armed with knowledge and awareness that will help you along the way.
Now that you have developed awareness for the university you are going to, the next thing to look at is the immediate community surrounding your campus. Do not depend on your university to be straightforward about its location and safety off-campus, because frankly, it is out of their jurisdiction and responsibility. Here are things I did:
Identify the city and county my college was in.
Download or mentally remember where “high-crime” areas are, and on the converse, where the safe areas are. Websites like neighborhoodscout.com or areavibes.com can give you a generalized map. I would verify by calling someone you know who lives in that region, asking upperclassmen if you can, or even checking out what people on Reddit have to say about the area.
Tools:
There are a plethora of self-defense weapons and tools that can deter, protect and track. Choosing this seems overwhelming, but ultimately, for me, it came down to two things. Which one was easy to carry and use, and which one was allowed on college campuses. The answer to those two questions for me was pepper spray and an alarm system. Please note that pepper spray is not TSA-approved.
Sites like BASU.com or even Amazon offer loud alarms that you can carry on your backpack. They are triggered by you pulling off the inserted key. I carried this after learning that one of the best deterrents is attention, and a loud alarm that is attached to you is sure to draw attention. I additionally carried pepper spray. I bought mine off of Amazon and have it on me at all times . Remember, these tools are useless unless they are housed in easily accessible places, thus determine an ideal location to store these items for quick access.
Safety tips you can practice:
Try not to go to new places alone, especially at night.
If you’ve never been to a certain area that is off-campus before, try to go with another person and avoid going to unknown places at night.
Don’t walk around at night, or alone, with earphones or head buds in.
Or at least, lower the volume. You need to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Hearing is a crucial sense, and if you are inhibiting it, you might be unaware of strangers approaching you from behind. Keep your head on a swivel to make sure no one suspicious is following you.
Keep a mental note of where the security beacons are.
Security Beacons are those blue lights that you will see on almost every campus. The moment you press one of them, a security guard will be alerted to your position. If you have to walk alone on campus at night, walk along the path of security beacons.
Share your location.
I’m not asking you to share your locations with your parents, but with today’s technology, at least share it with one other person you trust. Could be a roommate, a housemate, a sibling, or even just a friend.
When at parties, watch your drink being poured, and never go alone (this especially rings true as a woman).
My university, UCSD, had a ride service where security or student volunteers would drive you home if it got too late. Know how to use this policy if your university has one and have their information handy.
Be aware of your campuses’ policy regarding drinking.
Most campuses have a policy where they will not penalize you if you ask for help because you are inebriated. It is always better to have security drive you home than risk being in a dangerous situation.
Download safety tracker apps and open them up when walking alone.
Off-Campus:
Inevitably, you will have to find off-campus housing if your university does not guarantee 4 years of housing. Here is some advice we have to choose your apartment and housing.
Depending on your environment, avoid choosing first-floor apartments on busy streets with no gates.
Try to choose apartments close to a bus stop so that if you find yourself walking home late at night, you can get home quickly.
Scope out the area you’re considering at night. Many areas seem safe during the day, but completely change at night.
Random Tips:
If you have a car, also try to park near the parking attendant in lots, and avoid parking near vans with no windows and sliding doors.
Before getting in your car at night or alone, check your back seats before getting in. Once inside, immediately lock your doors and leave. Try not to waste time on your phone.
Keep your head on a swivel when going out alone. Trust your instinct if you think anything is suspicious.
Do not overshare information with strangers. If they ask you if you’re somewhere alone, even if you are, say that you are meeting a friend.
Keep extra cash on you at all times in case you find yourself in an unideal situation.
When using RideShare apps, always ask who they’re here to pick up. Do not offer your name. This assures that they are not pretending to be your driver. Additionally, use an address that is a few doors down and do not let them see you enter which house you live in.
When going to the bathroom at restaurants, especially for ladies, go with friends. There is always typically an exit near the restroom that is typically unsupervised.
When boarding on and off public transportation, remain aware of your belongings and surroundings.
Again, I hope you never have to use any of the tools and that you never encounter an unsafe situation. However, it is always better to be prepared than not. This article is not meant to be overwhelming or deter you from new experiences or going out at night with friends, but is meant to prepare you with common sense knowledge that has been passed down to me from upperclassmen, parents, and friends. So go out, be safe, and ultimately, have fun!
