By: Sarah Mason
We’re sitting down with Zaria Smith, a Notre Dame architect foremost passionate about advocacy and community design, for our latest feature. As she prepares for her junior year, Zaria shares her safety tips for navigating college life. From staying vigilant on campus to balancing independence with precaution, her advice is essential for students seeking a secure and fulfilling college experience.
- What safety practices do you think are essential for college students living on campus?
Although I love to listen to music while walking around campus, try to only wear one airpod while walking at night by yourself, especially as a young woman. If you can, always travel in groups or pairs at night. You are more likely to be left alone from strangers if you are with a trust friend group. That brings me to my next point. Choose your friends wisely. Make sure you can trust them especially if you are in a different environment especially when substances are present. As a young woman, I always think having pepper spray is a MUST. For example, if someone is making you uncomfortable and inappropriately close to you, you can use the pepper spray to create space.
- How do you balance enjoying college life with staying aware of potential risks, especially at social events or parties?
I am definitely an extrovert at times so, I love social events such as parties. I balance enjoying college life with staying aware of risks by having an established understanding with the girls I go out with. Such as “we come together, we leave together.” No matter the circumstance, we all have a strong understanding of this concept. Also going to the restroom together in pairs always helps eliminate unwanted situations. Although I don’t encourage underage drinking, we know that at college parties alcoholic drinks always make an appearance. If you do not want to drink, do not let your peers pressure you into drinking. If you do drink at these parties don’t leave your drink ever and avoid “jungle juice” because you don’t know what all was put into it.
- What are some tips you can share for staying safe when walking alone at night around campus?
If you don’t have to, dont. If you do just keep a protective weapon on you such as brass knuckles, pepper spray, etc. Also make sure you can have these things in your possession at your school first. While I was on campus at University of Notre Dame, they had special services where drivers would pick you up and drop you off starting at 9 PM. I loved this service! It saved me from walking in the snow as well as from harmful situations.
- How important is it for students to have a reliable support network, and how can they build one in a new college environment?
I believe it is important to find a support group while in college. It might be intimidating at first but you can start by joining on campus clubs or befriending people in class.
- What advice would you give to first-year students about protecting their personal belongings in shared living spaces or public areas?
One thing you can purchase is a truck with a lock. I just hide my things in lock boxes and always have the key on me.
- How do you recommend students stay mindful of online safety and prevent potential cyber threats or identity theft?
While being in college, I have experienced cyber harassment from someone I never met as well as stalking. Both situations were terrifying but my tips are to always alert the on campus police, your rector and RA as soon as it happens. Also, do not go anyway by yourself no matter the time of day. I am not sure how to prevent any of these situations but if they ever happen always alert the University.
- What steps should young adults take when they feel unsafe or uncomfortable in a situation, whether on or off campus?
If you are somewhere where you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, my first reaction is to get myself out of the situation. You can do this by faking a phone call, leaving the environment all together, or lying to get yourself out of a situation. For example, over the summer I was at a party and had a gut feeling that I needed to leave. Always follow that feeling because it can and will save you. I was the driver so I told my friends I was not comfortable and felt like we needed to leave. It took some convincing but we all agreed to leave.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
