Keeping your belongings safe at college

When going to college, there are many safety concerns you could think of. Overall, theft is one of the most common unpleasant situations that can happen to you there. And, if this is the first time you are living without any adult supervision, you need to take precautions. Like many other students, you probably bring plenty of valuable items with you when you get to campus. Paying close attention to keeping your belongings safe at college becomes imperative. Not only the loss can cost you money, but it can be quite a hassle to get new documentation, for example.

A couple of tips about keeping your belongings safe at college

Moving to college is one of the most exciting situations for many young people. You can find plenty of useful advice about how to successfully relocate on the Master Moving Guide website. Each day you will be surrounded by dozens, if not hundreds, of people. From the hallways to the library to classrooms, places can look like ant-heap at times. All things considered, your attention will be focused on so many things at once, so it is best to prepare for what awaits you. You should be ready to safeguard yourself and your belongings at all times to minimize the chance of theft. Here is a couple of things to focus on because you will need to play this game smart.

Create a list of all your items

With so many things going around in college, it’s easy to forget what you own. That’s why you will need to make a list of everything you have. Even before you leave your home, you should write down everything you will bring. This is especially helpful if you later move to another location. You will need a list of your possessions when you start looking to hire someone skilled for your relocation. Of course, don’t forget to constantly update and backup your list of items.

See if there is a registration system for keeping your belongings safe

This is similar to the inventory list, but with more details. First, check if there is a registration system on campus. There are many college guides explaining what systems and lifestyles you can expect when moving to college. It’s always a good idea to register all your possessions upon arrival. If there is a system, then you will need to take pictures and serial numbers of each item. In case something is lost or stolen, this might help you retrieve it, and confirm it is your property.

Mark your belongings if possible

Smartphones, laptops, and electronic devices, in general, can be very expensive. Losing them can be a significant hit to your budget. But, if you mark your possessions, it will be easier to identify them in case someone steals them. You can write your name with a permanent marker, or you can even engrave them. In some cases, a visible engraving might make them less attractive to potential thieves. Also, it will help you distinguish your books from others in case you accidentally switch them.

Keep your valuables out of sight

Whether you are living in a dorm or renting a place, you should hide your valuables. If necessary, you can get a safe-box and lock your items out. Small portable lock-boxes are easy to hide. The only downside is that they can be easily carried away. But, you can see if it’s allowed to bolt them to the floor to increase the security. If you own a car, never leave valuables on visible places inside, when you are not around. Expensive stuff on the back of your car will be like a free invitation for burglary.

Locks are everywhere for a reason

Indeed, there is a good reason for the locks. Doors are not there only to protect your privacy. They are also protecting your belongings from thieves. That’s why you should always keep them locked, even if you are leaving only for a couple of minutes.

Additional security for your electronics

Laptops are among the most popular items for thieves. They are relatively small, portable, and easy to carry around. Due to their nature, you will need an additional measure of security. One of the best things to use is a laptop lock. First, check if your laptop is compatible with this protection system. It should be, in most cases, but there are exceptions. Second, find a firm object and wrap the cord around. Insert the lock through the loop and attach it to Kensington Security Slot on your laptop. Eventually, if there is no firm object, you could make a hole through the working desk in your room. But ask if you are allowed to do that first.

Take good care of your bike

Another most common targets of theft on campuses are bikes. Never leave your bike without locking it with cable lock first. However, cable locks might be easy to cut with the right tools. For additional security, you should try U-locks. They are made of steel and are virtually impossible to cut without exceptional tools. With a combination of U-lock and the appropriate cord, you can easily protect your bicycle and even a motorcycle.

Always keep an eye on your phone

Yes, there are thousands of security applications, various geolocators, and similar software to download. But, the best way to protect your smartphone is to never keep your eyes off it. Even if you are having a drink with your friends, and need to leave the table for a moment, take your phone with you. If you leave it to the table, someone could easily snatch it when no one is looking.

Keep your money, cards, and documents with yourself

Same as with phones, the best precaution for keeping your belongings safe from thievery is to keep those valuables with you. At all times. Even if you keep everything in a wallet, which is a recommendation, don’t put the wallet in your backpack. It beats the purpose since backpacks are easy to pickpocket. Money loss is really a misfortune, and as a student, you need to save a lot. But identity theft or all the hassle with getting new documents can be quite painful.

Protect your digital possessions

Considering this is the digital era, you are probably having quite a collection of digital possessions on your laptop. From lectures to personal notes and other important data, there is much vulnerable stuff. With this in mind, you should protect that data by making backups. You have two excellent options:

• External HDD
• Cloud

An external HDD is a good way to keep a copy of all the data in a safe place. But, you will need to think about where you will hide the HDD itself.

Another way, more popular, is to have all your data backed up in the cloud. In case your laptop is stolen or broken, you can easily retrieve everything with just a few clicks. Just don’t forget to place a strong and unique password on your account.

Protect yourself

The best way to protect from potentially dangerous situations is to try to stay away from them. By all means, you should avoid suspicious areas if you don’t want to get mugged. Especially in night hours. No matter where you live, try to stay in well-populated and well-lit places. Avoid walking alone, and try to follow busy roads.

Keeping your belongings safe at college might seem complicated, but it actually is not. It’s just a matter of perspective and habit. Once you learn what to pay attention to, it will become as easy as natural in the future.