Safety and Higher Eductation

The transition from high school to college is a tremendous stressor in itself. The classes are structured differently, courses often become harder, and there is a drastic change in responsibility. Your college aged son or daughter will now be faced with self-defense and self-protection.

It is imperative to begin this as soon as possible. They will be on their own and you should prepare them as much as possible. You should check with your campus authorities first as to what methods of non-lethal self defense are allowed. Can your child carry pepper spray or mace? Are they allowed to carry stun guns in their purses or pockets?

What kind of security does the campus offer? Are parking lots and grounds patrolled during the day and night? Where can your child run to if there is a problem on campus? Do they know where the security office is?

If at all possible, see if you can show them around their dorm in the months before college begins. You can both get a feel for the layout of the dorm and see where the entrances and exits are. You can explore the different wings and corridors so your child will be less likely to become lost. This is especially important if you are from a more rural area and your child is attending a major university. The college they are attending may have tens of thousands of students. It can be an overwhelming place if they aren't fully expecting a location vast enough to accommodate this number.

It is also important to establish facts on peer behaviors. Parties will not be supervised and anything lost or stolen at them will not be retrievable. Likewise, those attending these parties may or may not be fellow students. There are accounts for both male and female students who have been robbed, attacked, or raped after overindulging in alcohol.

If you can establish these facts with your child, and discuss the consequences of irresponsible behavior, it will stay with them through college. They will have an idea of what to expect and a keen perspective on personal safety and accountability. College is not high school, but your child can be safe with a few personal precautions.

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Mike Rao writes on Crime Prevention and Personal Safety Topics. Please visit his websites and sign up for his free crime prevention newsletter. www.peppersprayking.com www.personalprotectionproductsofohio.com Visit Safety and Higher Eductation.

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