I remember my first experience living in the dorms. I was
always really nervous about my belongings being so accessible to not only my
roommate, but to also her friends who brought friends who brought other
friends. Every single day I suffered some kind of anxiety about leaving my
laptop out in the open or my new pair of UGGS. I sometimes thought my
nervousness was just a bad case of paranoia. However, after hearing some of the
startling campus crime statistics, I eventually realized that my reasons for
worrying were valid. The stats are really tough.
Each year 24,000 thefts and burglaries occur on college
campuses, so this is evidently a large problem for students. According to
Personal Safety Expert David Nance, protecting our personal property has to be
at the forefront of our minds. So what can students do to protect their
property? Students should always monitor who is coming in and out of their
rooms and they must keep all valuable possessions hidden. A trunk or safe might
actually be good items to add to your back to school dorm furnishings list.
Parents and students invest a lot of time and money into buying laptops, iPods,
iPads, expensive clothing and jewelry so students must make sure they’re taking
the necessary steps to secure their valuables.
Another really horrific statistic is that 1 in 5 women are
victims of sexual assaults. Whoaaaahhh! How and why is this number so large? No
one ever deserves to be assaulted, but unfortunately these assaults happen
because people have their guards down or are under the influence of drugs and
alcohol. 55% of sexual assault victims are under the influence when these
assaults occur so it’s very important that students look out for their friends.
Strength comes in numbers, so people must implement the buddy system. If your
friend is drinking too much, intervene. Your friend might be mad at that moment
but will appreciate you later.
Safe Drinking is also very important. The date rape pill
does exist and attackers do use it as a luring method for sexual assaults.
Don’t fall victim to this drug hypnosis. Always monitor your drink. I know many
folks would rather drink out of a shot glass or a cutesy Martini cup, but
drinking from the bottle is actually the safest way to drink as it has the
smallest opening. Additionally, it’s totally acceptable to watch the bartender
make your drink and retrieve it yourself. And finally, if you’re going to the Restroom or
the dance floor, do not ever leave your drink. These tips might seem tedious or
inconvenient for a fun night of partying, but understand that they do actually
go a long way.
These are just a few of the tips offered by Mr. Nance, but a
true effort toward implementing these kinds of precautionary measures into your
life will allow you to maximize your college experience. Who says you can’t
work hard and play hard in college? No one, because that’s what college is all
about – having a balance between fun and academics, but you MUST do it safely.
