Ten top tips for new students

As we head into Freshers’ Fortnight in Derby, we’re sharing a few tips to help new students understand how to stay safe, protect their property, and feel at home.

Starting university can be an exciting experience, but it can also feel challenging and hard to navigate. It’s natural to take a little time to settle in and adjust to student life.

We want to encourage you to get to know your new area. You’re in a new place with new people, so need to know your surroundings.

Start with your halls – make sure you know where to find the laundry room, reception, lecture theatres, somewhere to eat and so on. Then move on to your wider surroundings.

Think about how you can get into town for a night out and work out how’ll you’ll get back to your accommodation.

Here’s ten top tips to help you stay safe as you settle in:

• Mark any high value items with your details using a UV pen, and keep them out of sight of the windows.
• Install security software on your laptop.
• Consider installing a tracking app on your phone/tablet to allows you to find its location and delete data remotely.
• Be suspicious of calls, texts and emails that ask for personal information, account details or PIN numbers.
• Don’t attach your name or address to your room keys.
• Don’t leave notes on the door saying “I’m out – back in half an hour” or similar. They’re an open invitation to thieves.
• Only leave windows open when you are in the room, shut them whenever you leave, even if it is only to go to the bathroom or kitchen.
• Only let people you know into your flat using the intercom. If someone wants to see a flatmate, you should get the flatmate to speak to the person at the door because it is up to them if they want to let them in.
• If you have a bike with you, use a D-lock as opposed to a cable lock. Although cable locks are easier to carry around, with the right tools, thieves can easily break or undo these and take your bike.
• If you’re heading out, tell someone where you're going, and when they can expect you back. Maybe send a text to let them know you got there.

There’s more tips in our Student burglary prevention guide here on our website, and for advice to help keep you safe while you’re in Derbyshire visit Personal safety: how to stay safe | Derbyshire Constabulary