As a parent, sending your child away to college comes with a number of questions and concerns. One of your concerns may be regarding campus safety. While this is a legitimate issue, it shouldn’t be a constant worry. Here are some tips to help you feel more secure about your student’s college experience:
1. Talk to your student. Remind your child that there is safety in numbers, and that instincts are to be trusted. Tell your student that it’s never a bad idea to leave an uncomfortable social situation.
2. Take a walk through your student’s day. Start at the dorms, go to class, the cafeteria, athletic practice, and so on. Make your student aware of any potentially risky situations that you might anticipate or locations where you would be on guard.
3. Talk to campus security about their services. Many colleges provide escorts to the dorms from night classes and posts around campus for emergency help. Ask about these and other possible services.
4. Encourage self-defense education. Chances are good that the school or the surrounding community offers a self-defense course. Completion of the course will make you both more confident.
5. Caution online activity and sharing. Advise against posting class or work schedules, addresses, planned events, or other personal information online.
While no campus is always completely safe, proper awareness and preparation will go along way to help in many situations.
Another safety tip which I thought was very smart was provided by the campus police during orientation. The police officer recommended all Miami students put the campus police phone number on their speed dial, so they could quickly report a problem or suspicious activity.