College can be one of the most exiting, interesting times in a person's life. Heck, people talk about their college days, keeping up with the college football team or bragging about their fraternity on their internet dating profile, decades after they've graduated. But college can also be a dangerous time, especially for young women. If you're going away to college or have a college-aged child, safety is incredibly important. Sexual predators find a wealth of prey on college campuses, full of kids who are living away from their parents for the first time in their lives.
Most kids come away from the college experience with nothing but positive memories. But for those people who don't take steps to keep safe, college campuses can be dangerous places. Want to stay safe at school, or keep your college-aged kid safe? Read on for the most important college campus safety tips.
Try not to walk alone. You meet tons of new people at university. So it shouldn't be too hard to find somebody to walk with from place to place... especially if you're going out at night. If possible, put together a plan that will give you company to and from the places you visit (especially at night!). And if for some reason you have to walk alone, be sure that at least one person knows where you are, who you're with, and when to expect you back.
Buy protective gizmos. Most predators look for somebody they consider an easy target. Don't be one. Pick up a can of protective spray, like pepper spray or mace, and keep it in an accessible place. Don't like the idea of using a protective spray or have rules against it at your college? Buy a personal alarm for your keychain. With just the push of a button, you can alert the whole campus that you're in trouble.
Don't over-indulge. One of the first things that will make you a target at school is drinking too much. It's a simple fact: somebody who's had too much to drink is an easy target; a ready-made victim. It can be tempting to have a few drinks too many, but the consequences may not be worth it. Make a plan when you go out, and decide how much you plan to drink. Want to celebrate and plan to go a little nuts? Do it safely. Assign somebody to keep an eye on you and make sure you get home safely; then do the same for them when the time comes. Don't over-indulge if you can avoid it; but if you can't, always assign a "designated walker" to help keep you safe.
Pay attention to your surroundings. Especially at night, it's incredibly important to be completely aware of what's going on around you. That means listening to what's happening as well as seeing it. So put away your iPod when walking through campus on your own (especially at night) and pay very close attention to what's happening around you. Not only will this make you aware of trouble closing in, it will also make you less likely to be chosen as a victim. Most predators look for easy targets; if it's clear you're paying close attention, you won't seem like one.
Don't be too predictable. Some predators take time to choose and plan for their victims. So be sure that you're not too easy to predict. Don't always take the exact same route to and from your classes, and change your routine a bit sometimes. If somebody doesn't know where you'll be at a certain time, they won't be able to plan an attack.
Keep your hands free when you walk. When you've got a thousand classes and books and assignments, it can sometimes feel like you're (literally) juggling dozens of things at a time. But when walking to and from your classes, especially when you're on your own, be sure to use a sturdy pack that will keep your hands free. When your arms are full, you're an easy target, as you won't be able to defend yourself or escape easily.
Have a safety buddy. If somebody always knows where you are or where you should be, they'll be able to raise the alarm quickly if something happens. Make sure your roommate knows your schedule, and leave notes letting each other know where you are when you go out, as well as when you'll be back.
Don't be afraid of looking paranoid. When you've just left home for the first time and are thrust into a new, different world it can be a little intimidating. When you're feeling uncomfortable with a situation, you may be afraid of saying anything or taking any action-- you don't want to risk looking stupid or paranoid. But your safety is a lot more important than one person thinking you're strange. If you're uncomfortable, do something about it; that one "paranoid" scream may be just the thing that keeps you safe. Listen to your instincts.
