Starting university is an exciting milestone in life, but it can also seem scary. You’re likely moving to a new city where you don’t know your way around or any of the locals. You can find more peace of mind by learning how to prepare for emergencies at uni. No matter what happens, you’ll know how to respond and stay safe.
1. Save Some Money
Putting aside some extra money is one of the best safety tips for university students. You might have to leave campus without much warning and need to fill up your petrol tank or stock up on food. Your emergency savings account should have enough to get you where you need to go or refill your pantry.
2. Back Up Your Laptop
It’s always wise to back up your laptop with a trusted backup service. Hackers target university students by sending emails to their student accounts with links that contain spam or viruses. You’ll always have a copy of your most recent projects and essays if you can access your most recent backup.
It’s also great to save your data in case you have to leave campus suddenly and leave your laptop behind. Borrow a computer from someone else or get a new one and download everything you need to continue your coursework without delay. In addition, make sure you’re practicing safe browsing when you’re online, whether it’s in your dorm or on university Wi-Fi, to protect your privacy and financial information.
3. Register For Emergency Alerts
If there’s a dangerous storm, local emergency or another safety concern in the middle of the night, a local emergency alert will wake you up so you can reach shelter. Anyone can register for emergency alerts to stay on top of natural disasters, attacks, fires and incoming storms. As you learn how to prepare for emergencies at uni, take a few minutes to sign up and access numerous alerts for various emergency situations.
4. Look Up Emergency Response Numbers
Some emergencies aren’t as urgent as others. If someone scratches your car or breaks into your dorm room, you should have the local campus police line saved in your phone or written down on a card or planner you carry with you. It reroutes calls from emergency responders to on-call officers who don’t need to arrive as quickly. You’ll save local resources and still get the help you need.
5. Research Evacuation Routes
If a significant storm affects your campus community and students have to evacuate, you should already know where to go. Look up where you can drive to reach higher ground or which public transportation lines can take you out of the city. The closest motorway could take you to a safer location where you can wait out the storm.
6. Find Nearby Hospitals
The NHS website has a hospital service locator that makes it simple to find medical assistance near your campus. It’s one of the easiest safety tips for university students because it will locate clinics and hospitals based on your location within seconds. If you need immediate medical attention, saving a few different locations will help you get medical care faster.
7. Register Your Belongings
Student theft frequently happens on university campuses. Someone might steal your bicycle, your phone or even your car. Protect your most expensive belongings by getting a unique mobile registration (IMEI) number with the national property register. The police will use the number to local and identify any stolen property.
8. Assemble a Health Kit
Quarantining is the newest concern for university students. Even if there isn’t a public health threat when you move into your dorm room, you could have to isolate for two weeks if a virus invades your campus. Prepare a health kit with things you might need, like:
- Fever tablets
- Cold and flu medication
- A thermometer
- Tissues
If you feel yourself falling sick, you can also stock up on easily digestible foods like soup and hydrating drinks with electrolytes. Remember to take care of your health every day — not just when it starts declining. Make time to balance classwork and down time, eat properly, hydrate, and try to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. This can help prevent you from becoming ill or burnt out.
Prepare For Emergencies at Uni
Anyone can learn how to prepare for emergencies at uni with easy tips like these. Familiarise yourself with local emergency responders, register your expensive belongings and sign up for emergency alerts. No matter what happens while you’re away from home, you’ll know how to take care of yourself.
