Back-to-School Safety: A Personal Message to Parents and Students Who Take Preparedness Seriously
By Jeremy Robbins, CEO of Krav Maga Maryland
As the new school year kicks off, there's a familiar mix of energy in the air: anticipation, nerves, goals, and maybe even some relief from the summer chaos. Whether you're a parent sending your child off to high school or a college freshman about to navigate campus life on your own for the first time, one thing remains true across the board: safety matters.
We don’t talk about it enough, or we wait until something happens before giving it our full attention. But at Krav Maga Maryland, personal protection is what we do, and my message to you is simple. You don’t need to live in fear, but you do need to be prepared.
This isn’t about paranoia. It’s about ownership and whether you're in grade school or college, a little strategy goes a long way.
Here’s what I’d share with my own team, my own family, and my own kids as they head back into the classroom or out into the world.
Know Where You Are. Always.
It sounds obvious, but it’s the foundation of personal safety. Pay attention to your environment.
For high schoolers, that means knowing where the exits are. Understanding which adults in the building are there for your safety, and being aware of who comes and goes through your school doors.
For college students, this matters even more. Campuses are sprawling. Get to know your routes, especially at night. Find the emergency call boxes. Download your school’s safety app. Save campus security in your phone and label it clearly. You’re not paranoid for planning. You’re smart.
Move With Purpose
One of the most effective things you can do to avoid becoming a target is simple: look like you know what you’re doing.
Keep your head up. Walk with intent. Limit distractions. You don’t need to have every detail figured out, but walking around glued to your phone with both earbuds in tells everyone you’re checked out. That includes the wrong people.
You don’t need to be the strongest person in the room. Just don’t be the easiest one to isolate.
Listen to Your Gut, Even if It Feels Inconvenient
If something feels off, it probably is. That sense you get when someone’s energy is off, when a situation starts to shift, when your instincts are nudging you to leave? That’s your nervous system doing its job.
Students: if you ever find yourself thinking, “This is probably nothing,” pause and check in. It might be something. You’re not weak for leaving a party early, asking a friend to walk with you, or saying no when something feels wrong.
Parents: empower your kids to trust those instincts. Don’t dismiss their concerns. Help them build the muscle of speaking up before something becomes a problem.
Set Boundaries Early, and Keep Them
Boundaries aren’t just about dating or social situations. They apply to everything from friend groups to roommates to people you barely know.
Students, if you don’t want to be touched, followed, teased, pressured, or manipulated, you don’t have to be. It is okay to speak up, to be direct, and to walk away.
Adults need to model this, too. The ability to say, “That’s not okay with me,” is one of the most protective skills a person can develop. Start young and reinforce it often.
Don’t Overshare, Especially Online
Be selective about what you post. Sharing your location in real time or broadcasting your routine may feel harmless, but it gives the wrong people more information than they need.
Students: your dorm, your class schedule, your workout routine; those are details that belong in your group chat, not on your public profile.
Parents: check your own habits, too. It's tempting to share proud moments online, but think twice before tagging a location or naming specific schools or schedules.
Learn Real-World Self-Defense Skills
I believe every student should take at least one solid self-defense class before leaving high school. That’s not just because it’s what I teach, but because I’ve seen what happens when someone who’s trained walks into a threat, and I’ve seen what happens when they haven’t.
Good self-defense training isn’t about becoming a fighter. It’s about learning how to:
Set and hold boundaries
Escape dangerous situations
Use your voice effectively
Strike if necessary
Stay calm under pressure
It builds confidence, and confidence is one of the most powerful deterrents in the world.
Have a Plan Before You Need One
Do you know who you’d call if you felt unsafe?
Does someone know where you’re going when you leave late at night?
If a friend drinks too much, do you know how to help or who to contact?
If something feels wrong at school, do you know who to talk to?
These aren’t just worst-case scenario questions. They’re smart planning questions.
Safety Is a Family Conversation, Not a One-Time Talk
Parents, your kids are watching how you respond to their concerns. If they bring something up, stay curious instead of dismissive. If they make a mistake, keep the conversation open so they’re willing to come to you next time.
Students, your safety is your responsibility, but you’re not alone. Keep someone in your corner who knows what’s going on in your world and can help you think through a situation if things ever feel out of control.
Final Word
This school year, prioritize grades, sports, friendships, and growth, but make room for one more thing: personal protection. The goal isn’t to scare you. The goal is to make sure that when life throws the unexpected your way, you’re ready.
You don’t need to be paranoid. You need to be aware, prepared, and in control of your space.
If you want help with that, we’re here.
Krav Maga Maryland offers practical, effective personal protection training for teens and adults. We teach real-world self-defense, situational awareness, and the kind of confidence that can carry you through more than just a dangerous moment; it can shape how you walk through the world.
Let’s make this school year safe, strong, and smart.
Stay sharp,
Jeremy Robbins
CEO, Krav Maga Maryland