We all want to believe we are safe while in college; after all, we are constantly surrounded by our best friends, the people who truly care about us. However, scary incidents are not as uncommon and rare as we may think. In light of the disappearance of 18-year old University of Virginia sophomore Hannah Graham, I think it may prove useful to all college-aged women to make some important safety changes. Next time you go out, especially late at night, keep these simple but constructive safety tips in mind- you never know how invaluable they could be.
1. Always abide by the buddy system
Everyone has heard the term “safety in numbers.” It comes from parents and friends alike, and you may get sick of hearing it. But, always having a friend with you is one of the most important things to do when considering safety. Each time before you go out for the night, have a quick chat with your friends and have everyone pair up. Your mission for the night is to make sure you stick by that friend for the whole night- or at least know exactly their whereabouts. Most importantly, NEVER let a friend leave a party or a bar alone.
2. Keep your phone fully charged
This seems pretty obvious, but you would be surprised at how often I have been leaving my dorm and realized that I am at 34%- a number that will probably not last me half the night. It is crucial to juice up your device to 100% before you depart on whatever adventure you have in store because, if you ever find yourself either lost or alone, you will need your phone to call a friend and get home safely.
3. Get your own drink- or be sure you know exactly who is getting you one
I don’t think I even need to write this one because as college girls, it is all we are ever told. But for good reason- unfortunately, there are people out there who might slip something mysterious in your drink. Be sure to either get your own beverage of choice or have a trusted girl or guy get it for you- it’s not worth risking what might happen, no matter how cute or friendly he seems.
4. Keep your Holy Cross ID with you at all times
It is pretty easy to lose a small piece of plastic, but it is essential you have yours with you at all times to get back to your building at the end of the night. This is especially useful when it is very late at night and calling your friends to let you into your dorm will only be met with endless ringing and voicemails. An easy way to keep yours safe and sound is to buy a phone case with a built-in slot for cards. This makes sliding it out more accessible and close- and you won’t have to carry around a bulky lanyard.
5. Keep the Campus Safety number in your contacts
In case either your friends aren’t picking up or you find yourself in a situation where you need serious help, having this number in your phone will make it easier to get help ASAP. Avoid having to search for the right number by placing those 10 simple digits in your phone- better to be safe than sorry.
Although I have never personally experienced anything too scary in my time here, and I don’t expect to in the safe environment that is Holy Cross, I try to keep these few things in mind. You never know what may happen in the future and it is always better to be prepared.