Here at Her Campus Fairfield, we must be honest in saying that no, this post will not teach you how to become a black belt in Tae Kwon Do within 5 seconds, nor will you become a ninja who can go creeping around at all hours of the night, attempting to perfect your skills after reading this. On the other hand, we can share with you the best way to use your brain, and the common sense (which we know every collegiette has) to protect yourself on campus!
Step 1: The Buddy System
If you left the buddy system behind back in kindergarten, along with stranger danger, then you are missing out. There’s no better way to feel safe and comfortable, walking back from dinner or a late night cram session at the library, than with your trusty sidekick by your side. Do yourself a favor and grab a buddy!
Step 2: Phone a Friend
If you can’t find a buddy to walk to and from certain places, then phone a friend. Not only will you catch up on the latest news, but the moment you start feeling uncomfortable, you can tell your friend exactly where you are, what the situation is, and if you need them to take further action to get help.
Step 3 (the most important): Trust Your Gut
Sometimes you are at the library, grabbing a quick dinner, or simply leaving a building, in which case you just lost track of time. You then realize that 1) your buddy is busy and 2) your phone is dead. This may cause you to worry as you find yourself standing outside alone, thinking to yourself that you are in the midst of a scary movie (**Cue flickering lamp post). The best thing to do here is trust your gut!
If you get those butterflies that make you question if you are just paranoid or actually in a bad situation, then trust yourself. If you can, go back into the building or to the nearest building with lights on and proceed from there. Do not approach random cars or people that you normally would not if it wasn’t for the situation you are in. For example: If you would not normally approach a person idling in their car in an empty parking lot in the middle of the night, then right now is where your brain and common sense come in handy and you shouldn’t decide to make a new friend. At this point you should call Public Safety at (203) 254-4090 and ask them if they can drive or escort you back you back to your buildng.
Lastly, as a collegiette, be smart and never put yourself in a situation that would lead you to question your safety.
For more safety tips, check out your colleges Public Safety Department!