A Girl’s Guide To Staying Safe In College

College is exciting, mostly because it means you won’t have to live by your parent’s rules anymore. You can go anywhere you want when you want. Going to college is a step towards independence. But, regardless of how exciting it sounds, with independence comes a lot of responsibilities, like personal safety. It doesn’t matter how big or small your college town is, things happen. It might not happen to you, but being prepared for those situations is key to staying safe in college. I’m lucky enough to say I have never gone through a situation where I felt unsafe while in college, but I’ve definitely heard so many bad stories from friends, from rapes to robberies and other things in between.

Make a plan when going out

We all know that college = parties + alcohol. And that’s okay, partying is part of the whole college experience. But there are a lot of things that should be considered regarding safety.

Related: Everything You Need To Know About College Parties

Talk with your friends about the party you’re going to. How are you going to get there? How are you going to go home? Will you stop for food? Are you pregaming first? Make sure you and your friends are on the same page and leave no one behind.

Also, let your friends know (while they’re still sober) what you’d consent to at the party. Let them know if you want to hook up with someone even if you’re drunk or tell them not to let you drink more once you’re already drunk. Or tell them to keep drunk you from doing stupid things.

Trust your gut

If you find yourself in a situation that feels off, it probably is. Don’t be afraid to remove yourself or call for help.

Have a designated sober friend

This might not work every time you go out. But having a sober friend(s) that can take care of you and all your drunk friends is very helpful. It’s basically like having a designated driver who also babysits at the party. This friend can keep you safe while you’re drunk and also prevent drunk you from doing things sober you would never do.

Stay together

This goes without saying. When you go out, go out with a group of friends and stay with them. At a party full of people, it’s hard to keep an eye on your drunk friends or for them to keep an eye on you, so even if the group gets separated, stay with a friend or two.

Make sure your phone is charged

My phone is always dying on me, so I always make sure to carry a portable charger, especially when I’m going out. The last thing you want to happen is to realize your phone is dead when you need to text a friend or get an Uber. Make sure you charge your phone before you go out, whether it is while you’re doing your makeup, eating dinner, or anytime in between.

I actually have a funny story from my freshman year where I got dropped off at my sorority house by a campus police car. I went to a fraternity party with some friends. At some point I wanted to go home, but my friends didn’t, so I left alone. My phone was dead and I thought I knew the way. But, somehow I got lost. It was 3 am and I was walking down the street, without any idea of how to get home, there were no cars or people around but I managed to find a hospital. I walked in and asked them to please help me out, so they called campus security and luckily, I was safely dropped off at home. However, things could have gone in so many different ways that night. So, please be safe and keep your phone charged.

Always have cash on you

I don’t know about you, but I heavily rely on Apple Pay for everything. However, what if your phone dies? Cash is always king. So make sure to always have at least $10 or $20 on you for emergencies.

Watch your drink at all times

You’d be surprised to know how easy it can be for someone to put something on your drink without you realizing. So, please be careful. Before you drink anything, see them pour the drink in front of you. And watch your drink at all times.

Pace yourself

It goes without saying but it is important to pace yourself when drinking alcohol. Never feel pressured to do anything you’re uncomfortable with. And have a plan for getting home safely.

Meet in a public place

Almost everyone has a profile on at least one dating app. I have Tinder, bumble, and Hinge and I’m still single… go figure. Even though it might not seem dangerous to go an a date with someone you’ve met on those dating sites, you truly never know. So make sure to meet them in a public place.

Check your dates on social media

Stalk them on social media… if it’s for your own safety is it still considered stalking? I don’t think so… so scroll away!

I feel like it’s important to check that person’s social media profiles for the following reasons: he could be a catfish or he could be a serial killer. You never know. Even if it’s none of the above, you could find a dealbreaker and not have to waste any of your time going out with someone it could never work with.

Let your friends know where you’re going

Whenever I go on a date with someone I’ve met online, I always tell someone, whether it’s my roommate, my sister, or a friend. I let them know where I’ll be and who I’ll be with. I even share my location with them, just to be safe. This way, they’ll know if I’m safe and if something goes wrong, and also, they’ll be able to get me out of a bad date.

Consider taking a self-defense class

Consider taking self-defense classes to boost your confidence and learn basic techniques. Look for classes that fit your style and comfort level, with qualified instructors. Don’t forget to check campus resources for student-specific programs.

Take advantage of your school’s resources

Colleges offer a variety of services regarding safety. For example, shuttles that take you whenever you want to go late at night, security guards everywhere 24/7, and “HELP” stations located all around campus. Know what your school offers, and check the protocols and security guidelines. I’m sure most of those are mentioned during orientation.

Avoid walking alone at night

College campuses can be a little creepy late at night and unfortunately, most incidents are likely to happen at night, when it’s dark. So, avoid walking alone at night, and if you happen to find yourself walking alone at night to your dorm or to a building just don’t stop moving, walk fast and look around every couple minutes. Stay aware of your surroundings.

If you’re walking alone at night, avoid wearing headphones and looking at your phone. Because you might get too distracted to realize someone might be following you. Keep your phone in your pocket until you reach your destination.

I personally avoid walking alone at night, especially since I live in New York and it can be somewhat sketchy depending on the neighborhood. So, I have a personal rule: always take an Uber when it’s past 10:30 pm.

Consider carrying pepper spray

Chances are, you might never use that pepper spray and people might even make fun of you for carrying that cute pink pepper spray, but better be prepared than sorry. Some people might even suggest carrying a personal alarm with you at all times, but honestly I don’t think you need it. You can always call the police with your phone. Pepper sprays are legal throughout the 50 states but there are some size restrictions in some states like New York.

Don’t forget to lock the door

This is an obvious tip, but it is also something we sometimes forget to do. Doing this will keep you safe.

During my freshman year, a close friend was almost raped in her own dorm room. She and her roommate had left the door unlocked overnight and some guy that lived down the hall got into her room. He was drugged and tried to rape her. Luckily, people heard her scream and intervened. So, yeah, please always lock your doors to stay safe in college.