In light of the recent crimes and sexual assaults that have been happening near and on campus, coupled with the late-night studying habits of stressed students studying for midterms, it’s more important than ever to be safe when walking at night. Whether it’s 8pm or 3am, it’s important to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Of course, the best way to avoid walking home at night would be to study in your dorm/apartment, but most of us need the quiet, intense atmosphere of the library in order to be productive. Therefore, I put together a few tips regarding making sure you get back to your place safe and sound.

1. Use campus-provided night services: Bearwalk is a great way to ensure that you’re not walking home alone, and the night shuttles are efficient and comfortable. However, Bearwalk can get pretty busy during midterm season, so be sure to call in a request at least 30 minutes ahead of the time you plan to leave the library. You can find Bearwalk and night shuttle information and schedules at nightsafety.berkeley.edu.

2. Walk with a friend: Related to the Bearwalk point made above, there’s safety in numbers!
3. Be alert and prepared: When walking home late at night, make sure to stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Try not to walk while texting or browsing on your cellphone, and walk fast if you can. You can also make sure to have pepper spray on hand.

4. Take martial arts PE classes: UC Berkeley’s martial arts program features a variety of martial arts classes such as Taekwondo, Judo, and Yongmudo. The Yongmudo class in particular teaches Korean self-defense techniques that specifically explain what to do in various situations, and I personally learned a lot of useful techniques from the class. Martial arts classes also help boost self confidence and are a great way to de-stress and exercise.
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Stay safe during the stressful midterm season!