When you’re in college, you’ll want to take some steps to ensure you and your belongings stay safe. Whether that’s protection from sickness, theft, or other issues, these steps can help you have a great time while staying safe.
Consider Telehealth
Part of protecting your health includes keeping up with regular doctor appointments. When you’re a college student, it’s often difficult to make time for these important visits. But telemedicine is an alternative that lets patients and health care providers meet over a video or phone call, email, texting, or other form of communication. No matter the from, students thrive in all aspects of this care. The health care provider can gather health-related data and ask specific questions to determine the best treatment.
Visit the Campus Safety Office
Each school has a security office, which some of your tuition dollars help fund. Since you’re already paying for it, try to make the most of it. There is likely information on the website about contact methods, their office hours, and other resources. Some offices have resources such as:
- Maps showing suggested routes around campus
- Emergency phone station
- Integration with safety apps
- Escort services for protection
- A safety report with data about the emergency procedures, safety plan, and statistics on crime in the area
Keep Yourself Protected
Many criminals prefer to carry out their activities when it’s dark rather than during the daylight hours. The same is true for campuses, so you’ll want to reduce your risks. Of course, you shouldn’t feel like everything is dangerous, but there are a few steps you can take to keep yourself safe. You’ll want to avoid parking in poorly lit areas or walking alone once it’s dark. Instead, walk with a friend, and if you have to be by yourself, consider calling the school’s security team for a ride. If you know you will be going back to your car when it’s dark, you might want to park in a well-lit area. It’s best to avoid deserted places. You might consider safety apps as well. Some track your location using GPS and let you call for help when you hit the panic button.
Ensuring Protection in Your Home or Dorm
It’s best to lock your dorm, no matter how short of a time you plan to be gone. And try to lock other valuables as well to prevent theft. If you are on the first floor, you’ll want to keep the windows closed and locked. In a house, pay particular attention to the windows and doors on the first floor. It’s also best to keep the curtains or blinds closed so no one can see what you have inside. Certain tech tools can help you keep others away from your belongings. For example, you might use contact sensors for your closet, drawers, or fridge. If someone opens it, an alarm could sound, or you may get an alert. You can choose the setup. If you have other valuables, you might put them in a small safe to protect them from roommates or their guests.
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