College is fun and exciting for various reasons, but it is also incredibly nerve-racking.
There will be thousands of new people to meet, new classes, and new expectations, and you will also likely be in a new city that’s somewhat unfamiliar to you.
It is important to stay safe when moving to these new cities; here are some tips to stay safe while still having fun.
Meet Your Neighbors
One of the best pieces of advice you can follow to stay safe, learn more about your area, and make friends is to meet your neighbors. If they are your neighbors in your new college town, they likely share some similarities with you, making it easier for you to form a friendship.
Even if they don’t, it’s essential to meet them so you can feel safer knowing who lives around you. Additionally, you’ll know who you can go to for protection if you ever do feel unsafe.
Find the Dead Zones
This tip requires you to go out of your way and do some work, but it will help you learn where Wi-Fi is easily accessible and where there are dead spots that you should avoid.
Dead zones are areas where the signal from a cellular tower can’t reach your device, ultimately leaving you without a method of communication if something were to happen.
New cities and college campuses are likely to have many of these areas, as winding staircases, basement level rooms, and tall buildings commonly block reception from cell towers.
There are ways for institutions to fix these dead zones, but until they do so, you should learn where they are and keep your distance when possible.
Travel Smartly
Another critical consideration you need to make to stay safe is how you travel. Your campus and the city you’re in may be safe, but it only takes one person to do something sketchy and make you feel unsafe. To avoid having individuals target you, travel smartly.
Avoid walking by yourself whenever possible, and make sure to keep all your valuables inside your pockets or a zipped bag. Try to make your bag hard to access, too. Someone who wants to steal your backpack could easily pull it off your shoulders; consider tucking it under your arms and placing your hands over the clasps.
other related articles of interest:
How to Make Your Out of State College Moving Experience Easy
It’s Okay To Say No
Even if you follow each of these tips, you can still fall into the allure of strangers. It’s hard to say no to someone if they ask for directions or want to borrow your phone. You want to be kind and considerate, but if you feel that the vibes are off, try to remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible.
In these moments, it’s okay to say no and listen to your gut feelings. They may call you names or make you feel bad, but you may have avoided a problematic and potentially dangerous situation.
These were some tips for staying safe when moving to a new city. Stay safe, stay aware of your surroundings, and make friends around you who can back you up in the worst situations.
Image Credit: tips for staying safe when moving to a new city by Adobe Stock Image File #142136315
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