Campus Safety Tips

CULTIVATE A HABIT OF CAUTION

• Be skeptical of all unfamiliar faces and persons, and do not entertain their questions, chats etc, especially at night or in dark, quiet places.
• If someone asks for directions and you do not know the place, refer them to security. Even if you know, do not linger with your directions, and do not agree to take them there.
• Carry your ID card at all times and cooperate with security personnel – they are there for your safety.

  Walk-in groups if you must go out late at night and do not use dark and lonely paths.

• Do not carry valuables at night, or where necessary, minimize what you carry, including cash and electronic gadgets.
• Be alert and listen out when walking around at night. Don’t make calls, or text or plug ears with music.

  Don’t accept lifts from strangers.

• If you have to pray outside at night, do so in groups and in well-lit places, where the security is good.

WHEN VISITING FRIENDS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX

• Be assertive, be smart and be street savvy. Ask questions if you are uncomfortable with certain actions and behaviours.
• Do not take “chrife” brothers for granted; they are as human as any other man.
• Do not accept already opened drinks. Reject it if it tastes, smells or looks different from what you usually know.
• Do not agree to try new drinks when you are alone.
• Be careful when they lock the door while you are visiting, or starts showing you pornographic material, or starts undressing.
• Be careful of video recording, intimate scenes even if it is by your boyfriend or girlfriend.
• Do not visit female/male friend(s) alone.
• Introduce your male friends to friends and at least one adult. Hiding a relationship is dangerous.
• Familiars are not as dangerous as they appear.

WHEN IN YOUR ROOMS OR THE HALLS

• Lock up rooms when alone or going to bed.
• Keep your keys in the approved location, ie. Porters’ lodge.
• Don’t leave your keys in obscure places, eg in flower pots, under doormats etc.
• Do not leave windows open when going to bed.
• Do not play loud music/video when asleep.

IF YOU ARE BEING ATTACKED

• Don’t try to be a hero, hold back, or negotiate with them. Give them what they ask for.
• Call the police or any number for help.
• Even if you recognize them, do not give them any indication you do.
• Just memorize whatever features you can to help later with identification and investigation.
• Shout for help if you hear your neighbour is being attacked in a room nearby.
• Ensure that you speed dial has all the relevant information required to help you in case of emergency.

Author:

Dr. Bernard Kissi-Abrokwah
Head, Counselling Center
[email protected]
+233 20 824 8314

TIME MANAGEMENT

Time may be defined as the measurable period during which an action, process or condition exists or continues. Thus, for you as a student of the CKT-UTAS, your measurable time allotted to you for your academic work towards your degree is the two, three or four years you have, depending on your programme. This period of time could be broken down into semesters, months, weeks, days, hours, minutes and seconds.

It is important to recognize that your time in this University is limited, invisible, unchangeable and irreversible. Each minute, therefore, should be used wisely. Your ability to develop the art of arranging, organizing, scheduling, and budgeting the limited time available to you for more effective work and productivity makes you a good time manager. Managing your time well increases your level of effectiveness and efficiency in relation to your studies, extra-curricular activities, and all that you are required to do during your limited time on campus. This affords you a more peaceful and fulfilling academic life. You are able to do multitasking, save money, minimize stress and maintain good health. Most importantly, you are able to make adequate time for your academic work.

A number of things could act as time-wasters in the midst of the limited time available to you. They could include participation in too many social programmes, lack of planning, lack of self-discipline, inability to say ‘No’ to invitations, drop-in visitors, over-indulging in social media, movies, having a disorganized room and closet or a cluttered desk. Unfortunately, some relationships end up becoming time wasters as a result of the unnecessary time and energy that go into them.

To help you organize your limited time more effectively, consider having a timetable using a template that the Counselling Centre provides. You are welcome to visit the Counselling Centre, and see a counsellor who would help you to create a workable and effective timetable for each semester and make use of a daily plan or a ‘to-do list’.

Do not just put down the items for the day but prioritize them. Make use of diaries and planners on your phone. Have contingency plans so that if something you planned for does not come off, you would have something beneficial to do. Differentiate between long-term and short-term activities. Note that some things are urgent and important while some things are important but not urgent. As much as possible, have specific times to engage with people on social media.

You might be reading this script, and realized that you have already wasted some time in the University. It is never too late to decide to manage your time more effectively. You can still seek guidance from the Counselling Centre in order to make the best out of the time left for you. The earlier you took such a step, the better. All the best.

Author:

Dr. Bernard Kissi-Abrokwah
Head, Counselling Center
[email protected]
+233 20 824 8314

Visit the counselling centre behind the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences