Modern Ways to Stay Safe on College Campuses

While many college campuses are statistically the safest areas in town, it is important to stay alert and aware so that you are not the victim of crimes that do tend to take place on campus. Evening is obviously a time when you may feel most vulnerable, as the campus becomes more deserted and it is harder to see a potential threat lurking around a dark corner. Still, you can stay prepared for any situation and keep the crime statistics low at your school by using these modern tips for personal safety. Just remember that the old standards like the buddy system and campus emergency services are helpful too.

High-tech nail polish

Four students at North Carolina State University have made a breakthrough for campus safety that will let women protect themselves from one of the most heinous and underreported crimes plaguing colleges around the country: sexual assault. Their invention is a seemingly normal nail polish that changes color when it is dipped into a drink laced with common date rape drugs like Xanax and Rohypnol. Now your manicure will not only make a statement about your fashion sense, but it will also empower you to stay safer during those more questionable parties on campus. Another way to stay safe is by keeping your drinking in check, which is easy to do when you avoid parties where the keg is the primary source of entertainment.

Mobile apps

Despite a serious attachment to their phones, students are not likely to make a phone call to trusted friends or family members when they feel unsafe. They might, however, reach for a phone to use apps like campus maps, text alerts, or GPS systems to alert authorities of potential dangers. On the other hand, mobile devices can create a problem for students, serving as a distraction from their surroundings with music or games that can steal attention when it is needed elsewhere. If you are walking home late at night or entering a more dangerous part of campus, be sure that you take out your headphones and keep your eyes off the smartphone screen so that you get home safely.

Rideshare services

Another area where your phone can help you in a pinch is with rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, which have exploded in popularity over the past year. These ride services allow you to use a mobile app to get a ride from a safe location or find a way home on those nights when you overindulge. Most college campuses also have ride services for students who do not feel safe walking during late night hours.

How do you stay safe walking home after late-night library sessions? Share your safety tips in the comments below!