How to Keep Yourself Safe Living in a Small Student Community

Student communities do have their own fair share of safety concerns. Students have electronics and gadgets that are pretty expensive and targeted by criminals. To keep yourself safe, you need to take some precautionary measures.

1.     Always tell someone where you are going

If you are planning on meeting someone you don’t know or visiting a place you’ve never been to, make sure you tell one of your friends. Everyone is vulnerable to crime and it’s important to keep people on the loop in case of anything.

2.     Use safe means of transport

Using your own car in a small student community can be costly and inconvenient which is why most students use public transport. However, if it gets late, don’t over think about the cost of a taxi because your safety is more important especially if you’ve visited a place you are not familiar with.

3.     Know what’s happening around you

You need to always be on the lookout for any signs of danger or security concerns. Listen to the buzz around campus to familiarize yourself with common criminal activities and how to keep yourself safe. Beware of the people around you and do not invite strangers into your apartment while you are alone. This applies to fellow students as well. 

4.     Don’t show off

You might have the latest electronic gadgets in your apartment but nobody needs to know. Make sure you position these items in such a way that they can’t be easily spotted from the window. Don’t leave money lying around in your apartment especially when you have friends coming over.

5.     Keep your spare keys safe

Leaving your spare keys under the mat or close to the window is a huge security risk. In fact, your spare keys should never be left outdoors.  Have one of your close friends keep one for you and do not attach a tag on the key that reveals your name and phone number. Criminals can connect the dots and find their way into your house. 

6.     Lock all doors and windows

Leaving your doors and windows open when you go for classes can be a huge risk. In fact, many burglaries can happen during the day when most students are out for their classes. If your doors or windows cannot lock properly, call for maintenance services to be done as soon as possible.

7.     Get insurance for your valuable stuff

Student insurance is quite cheap and you can be able to protect your most valued assets from theft. Keep photographs of all your stuff that you want insured together with their receipts and serial numbers. It’s going to be easy for them to be found if they are stolen.

8.     Consider secure storage when you are away

If you cannot manage to travel with your valuables when you are going home for the holidays, arrange for a storage company to keep these items for you. You can enjoy your holiday in peace; resting in the knowledge that your valuables are safe.

Posted By: Athens Commons http://athenscommons.com/

Three Tips for Finding Off Campus University Housing

Your first year of college can be an amazing and intense experience. Many people are living away from home with no supervision for the first time. There are new things to learn, new people to meet, and a new city to explore. Freshmen also have the experience of living in a dormitory for the first time. Living in the dorms is a great way to meet friends and form a social group, but it can also be loud and chaotic at times. For those students who are considering a different living option, here are three tips to help you find a great place.

Ask Your School For Suggestions

Nearly every college in the country that has university housing cannot offer an on-campus room to every student. As a result, they know that a large portion of their pupils will live off-campus, either by choice or necessity. The same departments that manage dormitories will often have a physical or online list of properties that they recommend to students looking for a new house or apartment. These suggestions are generally vetted in some form or another. They are often included in the list due to recommendations from past student tenants. If tenants who live in them complain to the university, the housing option will be removed from the list. Since there will always be a ready supply of potential tenants coming from the college, many of the landlords of these properties do not advertise their availability outside of the school list, making the university housing department a valuable resource.

Use Social Media Shamelessly

Anyone who uses social media has seen posts or messages from friends and acquaintances saying they are looking for a new car, new job, new computer, or new apartment. Even if you find your friends' posts irritating, do not let that keep you from doing the same thing. The best rental properties are on the market for very short periods of time, if at all. Many are simply passed from one acquaintance, friend, or family member to the next. Getting the word out to your friends and family that you are looking for a place will increase your odds of finding a great spot significantly. A recent study by universities states that roughly 45% of students living off-campus move every year. This means a lot of university housing is changing hands every year. Social media is your surest bet to know ahead of time about a great property.

Get In Touch With Greek Housing

Greek housing is not for everybody. You have to be open to having more parties than the average house would have. If you can handle that, you can often find a wonderful deal on rent. Many Greek organizations rent out unused rooms to non-members. Since the dues paid by members helps subsidize the cost of the house, rent is often well below market value. Some houses even include a daily meal with the rent.

In conclusion, there are a lot of options available to students who want to live off campus. If you follow these tips, you will have a great chance at finding an amazing place.

Posted By: Athens Commons  http://athenscommons.com