With a new semester of school beginning, it is once again time for late nights in the library, midnight bar-hopping with the besties, and enough themed parties to give you a closet FULL of costume options for Halloween. With all that and more happening in collegiate night life, many women will find themselves roaming the streets or returning to their cars/apartments late at night. So I think it's time we talk about self-defense.

Remember that scene in "Miss Congeniality," when Gracie Lou Freebush taught the audience how to “S.I.N.G.”?

This hilarious scene showed us at a young age that women can defend themselves from attackers if given the proper training....but what about the proper equipment?

Personally, I would feel a lot safer being out at night if I had something to help protect me, other than my phone pre-dialed to 911 with my finger looming over the "call" button. Despite this, I am constantly lacking the very items I know would help keep me safe. As I type this, I realize just how ridiculous that sounds, but the fact of the matter is that I know I am not alone in this. Many of us think, "What are the chances of someone actually attacking me? That's something you hear about in the news that happens to other women. That would never happen to me." The truth is, it can happen to you just as much as it could to anyone else. Wouldn't you rather be prepared just in case it does?

So here are a few items that every woman, both young and old, should consider owning for self-defense:

1. Rape Whistle

Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you have to wear a sport whistle and run around like a referee who is obsessed with his job. Today’s rape whistles come in various forms, but I recommend the electronic key chain whistle (shown in the picture above). I find a keychain to be more sensible, because if you were to unfortunately find yourself in this situation and your assailant saw a whistle around your neck, chances are he’s going to snatch it off of you. However, if you attach the keychain to your purse or keys, you may have a better chance of accessing it before it’s noticed. As for the electronic part, let’s be honest...who really has the stamina to blow a whistle when they are being attacked? An electronic whistle is kind of like having your own mini panic button, and is likely to be much easier to use in a worst case scenario. There’s one key to this though: DO NOT LET THE BATTERIES DIE. Just treat it like your cellphone. You know that screwed feeling you have when your phone dies while you’re out? Multiply that by infinity.

2. Pepper Spray

Though it sounds like some new topping at Yogurtland, I think we've all watched enough movies to know that despite its innocent cinnamon-y candy smell...pepper spray is no joke. It is, however, a great way to temporarily harm your enemy in a less confrontational way. In addition, the handy-dandy keychain offered allows you to attach your pepper spray to your keys for easy access. One key thing to know about using pepper spray is that you should try to put some distance between yourself and the target, if possible. This will lessen the chances of your attacker being able to snatch it away from you. It will also help lower the risk of you accidentally getting the spray in your eyes. The last thing you want is to accidentally spray yourself!

3. Cat Self Defense Keychain

This clever keychain is an absolutely “puuuuuurrrrfect” way to discreetly arm yourself if you come across some bad luck. Just like a real cat, you can bust out the claws if someone tries to mess with you, making them wish they had nine lives. Simply place your fingers into the eye holes of the cat, grip the bottom of the cat's head with the bottom of your palm, and thrust the item forward to puncture your attacker. Try your best to aim for something that will leave them immobile afterwards (such as his eyes) in order to keep your assailant from bouncing back and attacking you. Afterwards....

4. Ring Clutch

This bad-ass clutch is both convenient and fashionable, and wearing it is bound to have you looking fabulous, whether you use it when hitting a night out on the town or when hitting an attacker. Though not technically created for self defense purposes, I think we can all agree that if handled properly, this clutch can certainly get the job done in an emergency situation. One of the really great things about this item is that you put your fingers in the rings just to hold it, so if someone blitz attacks you, you will already be armed and capable of defending yourself. Which is pretty cool, considering that even Superman needed a minute to get ready.

So, when using this item to bruise up the bad guy, you should refer to the “N” of Freebush’s “S.I.N.G.” strategy. Specifically aim for the bridge of the assailant's nose, and punch it with the rings of the clutch. Keep in mind that if you are going to do this, you need to punch as hard as you can in order to disorient them, or even fracture their nose. If you succeed, please do not stay to check out your handy work...RUN AWAY ASAP.

There are hundreds of other items and techniques that you can use to stay safe, and like most things in life, you must choose the one that fits you the best. So, whether you choose all of these items, one of them, or none of them, I hope that each and every one of you will take precautions to stay safe.

Disclaimer: Although I have advised you to the best of my capabilities, please keep in mind that I am not an official expert, and I suggest that you do your research when deciding what type of products you want to use.