5 Back to School Safety Tips: Stay Safe on Campus

The fall semester is close, and students are already preparing to go back to college. Making your transition and life on campus safe is one of the priorities. Colleges offer various initiatives and resources to make it happen. Yet, this doesn’t guarantee you a zero level of crime.

According to NCES, 27 300 on-campus crimes were reported in 2019. Statistically, sex offenses (43%), burglaries (33%), and motor vehicle thefts (11%) were the most frequent.

This is why every student needs to stay aware of their surroundings and take action to protect themselves. Here are five helpful tips on how to stay safe on campus.

1. Use the Buddy System

The buddy system is an effective safety measure. Schools implement it to help first-year students adjust and find their way around campus. So make sure you apply and pair up with another student to look out for each other.

Usually, your buddy is an older student who can offer some guidance and advice. They introduce you to new people and show you around. You can as well ask your buddy for some study tips. Yet, if the system isn’t available at your university or college, don’t worry! A essay writing services in USA EssayService also helps with homework, research, and academic writing in general. Whenever you struggle with your papers, you can rely on it.

2. Do Not Overshare on Social Media

Social media keeps students connected with friends and family they have left home when leaving for college. So naturally, they want to share part of their lives with their close ones.

However, it’s crucial to use social media wisely. This implies that you shouldn’t disclose any personal information that might reveal your location. A burglar or stalker can take advantage of it to study your movements and habits to plot their crime.

Therefore, avoid geotagging your photos or publicly announcing things like where you are now, when you are not home, or when you are alone. You also shouldn’t share details like your schedule, photos of the dorm you live in, or other information that might identify you or disclose your daily movements.

3. Be Extra Cautious at Night

Avoiding late nights as a college student is impossible. You either dance the night away at parties or spend it working on a last-minute paper. The latter, however, is much easier to handle if you ask an expert writer to write my essay or use a report writing service by EssayService team. It will save you hours of work while helping you earn the desired grades at the same time.

However, if you decide to stay up late, here are some extra tips on how to return home safely at night:

• Stay aware of your surroundings. Avoid walking at night with your headphones on.
• Check the night safety map of your campus for well-lit routes.
• Use night safety escorts if they are available on your campus.
• Avoid walking alone after dark. If possible, ask a friend or roommate to accompany you or at least tell them where you are going and when to expect you home.
• Avoid parking in isolated areas.

4. Get a Safety App

Make sure you download a few safety apps for emergencies. There are many options with various features. Explore and set them up before the semester starts to be prepared. Here are some apps you might want to consider:

• Noonlight is a reliable emergency tool. Whenever you feel even slightly uneasy, open the app, press a button, and hold it until you’re safe. When you make it home safely, release it and enter your PIN. But if you are in danger, do not enter it. The app will automatically notify the police. You can also add important information to the timeline, and it will be shared with 911 together with your location.
• bSafe is a personal safety app that allows you to send an SOS signal to your guardians when you’re in trouble. The app will automatically start recording audio and video to collect evidence. bSafe supports voice activation, so you won’t even need to touch your phone to call for help.

5. Use Campus Safety Resources

Student safety is a top priority for any school. So regardless of the institution you attend, there are surely a lot of resources already available to keep you protected. So make use of them.

Visit a safety office of your school (or at least its website) to find out more about the programs and initiatives it offers. These are:

• Safety maps that show the most secure and well-lit routes;
• Emergency phone stations;
• Escort services on campus to help you make it home safe;
• Campus safety plan and emergency exits;
• Subscriptions to safety alerts via apps or email;
• Procedures of how to report a crime;
• Public transport schedules.

You should also reach out to the office to get guidance and counseling on any safety issues that concern you.

Final Thoughts

A college campus is supposed to be a safe community where every student feels protected. Yet, despite all efforts of educators, learners may encounter potential risks like anywhere else. Luckily, if you take your safety seriously and follow our tips to protect yourself, you will avoid trouble and know how to act in case of emergencies.