8 Ways To Stay Safe At Falmouth University
University is a great time to make new friends and experience all that life has to offer, and it’s also the place where most people truly find themselves. It’s a time for testing your limits and exploring yourself, but you should always think about your safety. Here are 8 ways to help you stay safe at uni in general and at Falmouth.
1. Know your contacts!
Most people move away from home when they go to university. Whether you are moving only a few hours away, or maybe even to another country. You should always know who to call in an emergency situation. Keep a list in your phone with the most important numbers: police, ambulance, fire department and even a few taxi companies. If you’re an international student, make sure you have the contact details for your country’s embassy.
Tip: Something to do before you go to uni would be to look up who your local GP is and get a few contact information for them.
2. Avoid walking around alone at night!
Even as a guy, you should always beware of the dangers of wandering around at night by yourself. Even though Falmouth is a pretty quiet place with a low crime rate, petty theft is still a threat. If possible, try sticking to the main streets that are well lit and if you feel like you’re being targeted, go into a shop or pub and call for help or a taxi to get you home safely.
Tip: If you’ve had a few drinks and you feel like you might represent an easy target, order a coffee and sober up before heading home!
3. Watch your drink!
Never lose sight of your drink and don’t accept drinks that were not prepared in front of you. If you do leave your drink to go dancing or out for some fresh air, don’t touch it again. Just get another one. Avoiding the risk of having your drink spiked is worth the extra quid!
4. Don’t drink and drown!
Falmouth is known for its beautiful beaches and few people realize that going for a swim after a few drinks isn’t such a good idea. Alcohol usually affects some of the most important senses: sight, balance, and motion.
The RLSS states that a quarter of drowning victims had alcohol in their systems. The Don’t Drink and Drown campaign has been dedicated to try and prevent these unhappy accidents from happening.
Even if you are sober, you shouldn’t venture out into the ocean on your own. The currents can change quickly and they can be very dangerous. Always bring a friend or a flatmate and don’t go too deep into the water if you know you’re not an experienced swimmer.
5. Always have a plan!
While at uni, you might be tempted to go on a weekend get-away with your friends. Make sure you are prepared and plan everything ahead of time.
This means knowing how to get there and back and if you plan on staying the night, make sure you book a room in advance. Booking.com and Trivago are a couple of websites where you can find cheap hotels and great deals.
6. Don’t do drugs, kids!
Even if you think “Everyone is doing it”, doesn’t mean you have to do it too. Drugs can be extremely dangerous, especially for first-timers.
If someone pressures you into doing drugs, then you need to reconsider your friendship with that person. True friends are cool with whatever you like. Don’t feel like you have to impress anyone, because you don’t.
7. Safety first!
It’s no secret that people start having sex around the time they go to university. Make sure you ALWAYS take the necessary precautions when it comes to sex. You don’t want a nasty STI or unplanned pregnancy to ruin your uni experience and get yourself a bad reputation.
Also, when it comes to starting your sex life at uni, don’t feel obligated to do it if you don’t feel ready for it. Make sure it’s with the right person and that you feel safe with them. And remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry, no matter how heated things get!
8. Living in halls.
When you live on your own for the first time, there more to worry about than just doing your laundry, washing up and cooking for yourself. You also need to make sure your new home is a safe place for you to be in.
Most universities have policies in place about burning candles inside halls, but many people choose to ignore them. Besides the obvious fire hazards, you could get in trouble for ignoring this rule. If you are keen on having a nice smelling room, there are tons of options on air fresheners out there! You just need to look for them.
If you live on the ground floor, make sure you lock your window every time you leave your room. You don’t want that brand new laptop your family got you as a going away present to get stolen, right?
