Your Student Guide to Personal and Night-Time Safety

Student life is always packed with late-night study sessions, big nights out and last-minute plans. And while university is an amazing place to meet people and find your independence, it’s also essential to stay vigilant about personal safety, especially during the darker months.

Here’s how to look after yourself (and your mates), because staying safe and having a great time go hand in hand.
 

Know your surroundings

Whether you’ve lived in your city for a month or a year, it helps to get familiar with the safest routes home. Leeds, Sheffield and London all support the use of WalkSafe, an app that provides you with a map showing police approved ‘safe spaces’ to help you get home.

Make sure to stick to routes with people around, avoid shortcuts through parks and keep any valuables like your phone tucked away. If it’s late, think about getting a licensed taxi. Lots of university cities run Safe Taxi Schemes, including Glasgow, Nottingham, Dundee, Brighton and Bath. Just show your student ID, get home safely and settle the fare with the uni later. It’s a great backup plan for nights that run later than expected.
 

Stay connected

If you’re out in a group, be sure to check in with each other to make sure everyone got home safely. If you’re walking or travelling alone, share your location with a friend or let someone know when you’re heading out and when you expect to be back. Remember – group chats aren’t just for sharing your favourite memes, they’re one of the easiest safety tools you have!
 

Utilise the safety schemes in place

It’s worth making yourself aware of safety tools designed to help you:

SafeZone app: Supported by many cities, including Liverpool, Durham and Newcastle, this app helps you to raise alerts quickly, share your location and get access to campus security or first aid.

Ask for Angela: On a first date that doesn’t feel right? Many bars and restaurants UK-wide are part of this discreet initiative designed to keep you safe. Just ask for ‘Angela’ at the bar, and a member of staff will make sure you get home comfortably.

Text 999: If you can’t safely speak, you can text. Just register your phone first by texting REGISTER to 999.
 

Keep your space secure

When you’re back at your accommodation, make sure to always lock your door, never buzz strangers into the building and avoid leaving valuables visible from the hallway or outside. Fresh buildings already come with secure entry systems and CCTV, but small habits make a big difference too.
 

Keeping student nights fun (and safe!)

A few simple habits can make all the difference. Share plans with your friends, use the safety schemes around you when you need them and trust your instincts so you can enjoy your nights out without stress.

Fresh spaces give you the comfort and security to settle in, meet people and enjoy student life to the fullest. Find your perfect Fresh home and start your uni journey feeling supported from day one with our Be Wellbeing programme.