Campus safety: tips and tricks

Mehpreet Dhaliwal is a third-year nursing student at York University who cares deeply about health, well-being and creating safe environments for students. Her interest in child and youth health inspires her to explore topics like campus safety and how students can feel more confident navigating their daily spaces. 

For many of us, anxiety about safety can show up in many ways, like avoiding walking alone at night, hesitating to take an evening class or feeling tense while waiting for the bus. These reactions are completely understandable. Safety concerns don’t just change our routines, they also affect how we feel day-to-day. When we’re constantly stressed or on edge, it becomes harder to focus in class, enjoy time with friends or feel comfortable on campus. That’s why it’s so important for us to talk openly about what’s going on and explore ways we can protect both our emotional and physical well-being.

When we don’t feel safe, our brain goes into alert mode, making us feel anxious and on edge. It’s like getting startled by a loud noise, except the feeling doesn’t go away right away. Some students have told me they leave campus early because they worry about walking alone in the dark, which makes sense—they’re trying to protect themselves. But leaving early can also mean missing out on support we need, like office hours, study groups or evening events. Learning about the safety tools that York offers can help turn fear into action, so we feel more confident on campus. 

We have amazing resources on campus to help students feel safe and supported:  

YorkU Safety App: This app gives instant access to emergency contacts, campus maps and safety alerts. You can even contact goSAFE or campus security through the app.

Campus Shuttles and goSAFE: If you’re uncomfortable walking alone, call goSAFE! A staff member can walk you to your destination. You can also take a York shuttle bus between campuses.