Tips For Enjoying The College Experience While Avoiding Dangerous Situations

College can be a new and exciting time. Many people experiment and explore in college, but sometimes it’s hard to know when to draw the line. Here are some tips on how to find a balance between enjoying the college experience and avoiding dangerous situations.

Going Out with Friends

Many people go out with their newfound friends in college. It can be nice to leave campus sometimes, and there’s nothing wrong with going to a restaurant once every week or two. Especially if you’re new to the area, you should always do a bit of research on where you’re going. You should also only leave the campus with people you’ve gotten to know and trust.

Alcohol

Depending on where your college is located, the legal age to drink may vary. In most of the United States, the drinking age is 21. Drinking and then driving, regardless of whether you’re alone or with other people, is guaranteed to cause trouble. Many places have a "zero tolerance" law for younger drivers. It’s important to seek the help of criminal defense lawyers if you receive a DUI. Even if you don’t feel impaired, you should never drive after consuming alcohol.

Drugs

Unfortunately, drugs can be a common occurrence on college campuses. These can range from relatively benign drugs to addictive and deadly ones. Sometimes, it could be laced with anything without your knowledge. Unlike alcohol bottles, illegal drugs are not sealed and can easily be contaminated. While it may be tempting to try, using any illegal drug can put your health in jeopardy.

Coming Home

On weekend nights, college campuses often have people milling around at all hours. There are often many drunk people trying to get home from parties. Many students make it back to their dorms or apartments safely, but they are also easy targets. Make sure that you get a ride back if you’ve been drinking or feel unsafe to walk outside. Almost every college has a free service that shuttles students around campus at night.

Know Your Options

Almost every campus has emergency phones situated around the campus. There are also usually spots that are completely lit all throughout the night. Even though it can be a hassle, getting to know where you’ll be able to call the police or escape a predator in the dark is a good idea and could get you out of trouble one day.

College is filled with surprises, and the difference between a trip to the ER and a successful four years could be following these simple tips to stay safe.