Get ready for the best years of your life. Your time at college is filled with uncharted adventures, new territory, the making of lifelong friends, and well, an education of course. Despite all these wonderful and amazing things, college students often find themselves in unfamiliar environments, and it’s crucial to recognize common safety concerns that may arise. From personal and digital safety to emergency preparedness, this guide lays out 15 safety tips for college students to help them navigate this exciting time in their lives.
Personal Safety Tips
Staying Alert and Aware of Surroundings
Always be observant of what’s happening around you. Keep your head on a swivel. Awareness can prevent unnecessary risks and dangers. Try the OODA loop developed by the US Air Force:
- Observe the situation
- Orient yourself to the reality of your surroundings, eliminating your assumptions and biases
- Decide what you’re going to do
- Act confidently with your ongoing awareness
Importance of Letting Someone Know Your Whereabouts
Sharing your location with friends or family can be a lifesaver in emergency situations. With apps like Find My Friends and pin-dropping, it’s easy to keep friends and family in the loop. Even apps like Lyft offer the option to have a safety person track your ride.
Responsible Drinking Practices
About 1 in 13 college students report having been drugged or suspected to have been drugged after a night of drinking. Drugging can result in assault, injury, or even death. Responsible consumption of alcohol is key. Know your limits, and never accept drinks from strangers.
A good rule of thumb? If you ever leave your drink unattended, dump it out and grab a new one. Better to be safe than sorry.
Digital Safety Tips
Protecting Personal Information Online
Stay vigilant with your personal information. Utilize strong passwords and secure Wi-Fi connections. Feel like you don’t have one more password left in you? Password fatigue is a real thing. Combat this by using a password manager to help protect your passwords safely in one place.
Avoiding Online Scams Targeted at Students
Scammers often target college students. Stay informed and be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true. Always check reviews on employers on sites like Glassdoor.
Remember this, if you ever show up for a job interview that requires you to make an upfront purchase, get out of there! At best, it’s an MLM (multi-level marketing scheme). At worse, it could be a scam.
Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms
Social media is a great way to stay connected with old friends and get to know new ones. However, to scammers, public social media profiles make for easy targets. Privacy settings are there for a reason. Use them wisely to protect your online identity.
College Campus Safety Tips
Familiarizing Oneself with Campus Security Resources
Know the resources available to you, such as campus police, security patrols, or escorted rides. Many campuses offer police escorts at night to and from different campus locations. Learn these routes and take advantage – you’re paying for it through tuition after all.
Walking in Groups at Night
It’s not uncommon to feel unsafe walking at night. That’s why they say there’s safety in numbers. Always try to walk with friends or classmates after dark even if it’s just a short trip.
Reporting Suspicious Activities
If something doesn’t look right, don’t hesitate to report it to campus security. This tip doesn’t just apply to strangers on campus. Be on the lookout for friends who seem suddenly withdrawn, exhibiting excessive irritability, making direct threats, or directly expressing a threat plan.
Dorm Safety Tips
Locking Doors and Windows
It may seem like a no-brainer but busy college students often forget some of the best home protection is simply just locking the doors and windows. Keeping your doors and windows locked, even when you are home, can enhance safety. Check out CPI’s security sensors for state-of-the-art home security solutions.
Not Letting Strangers into Dorm Buildings
So many new faces and possible connections, it’s easy to just assume everyone has good intentions. Unfortunately, criminals prey on this naivety. Always verify a guest’s identity before allowing them into shared living spaces.
Safe Practices for Having Guests Over
Housing guests, whether they are yours or a roommate’s, can be a fun and enjoyable experience. However, it’s still wise to retain some sense of vigilance. Be responsible and considerate when hosting guests. Put away treasured or expensive belongings and make sure guests know which areas they are allowed access to.
Bonus College Safety Tips
Emergency Preparedness
Having a Plan for Emergencies
Prepare a well-thought-out emergency plan and share it with loved ones. Often a university will have its own emergency preparedness plan available for students and staff.
Importance of Knowing Emergency Contact Numbers
Know the essential contact numbers, including local police and medical assistance. It’s also important to have phone numbers of local friends and family who may be able to assist in lesser emergencies.
Learning Basic First Aid and CPR
Health emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time. Learning basic first aid and CPR can be invaluable in an emergency. Many college campuses offer free or discounted first aid and CPR training courses because it is that important.
Safety is more than a word; it’s a practice, a mindset, a commitment. Your college years are a time of growth and exploration. Make them secure with these safety tips for college students.
At CPI Security, we’re dedicated to enhancing your safety through innovative solutions like our CPI Security sensors. Join us in making safety a priority and ensure that your college experience is not just rewarding but also safe.
