If you’ve happened to make your way across North Campus in the last 48 (or so) hours, then you’ve likely noticed a larger volume of individuals staring very intensely at their phones. In fact, you’ve likely noticed groups of people walking or standing clumped together, their eyes firmly set on their handheld screens. Heck, you might even be one of those people!
Yes, Pokemon Go (though not technically available in Canada yet) has already taken over campus. And given that North Campus has the highest concentration of PokeStops in Edmonton (with only downtown to rival us), we’ve put together a few friendly reminders to help you stay safe during your search for Pokemon. Here they are:
Remember to Look Up
Yes, you need to keep an eye on your phone to catch your next pocket monster — but remember that you need to look out for everyone else who isn’t playing. (Or maybe you need to look out for other people who also have their eyes glued to their phones — either way, glance up every few seconds.)
Remember to Look Down
So, I may have nearly stepped on a squirrel today. And yes, the near miss might have happened because I was staring at my phone. But that doesn’t mean that you have to make my mistake. Look down, don’t trip, check for people, and watch out for squirrels. Or rabbits.
Look Both Ways
Yes, there have been a number of Pokemon caught on or very close to the roads that run across North Campus. Yes, you should try to catch them. However, you should also double check to make sure there aren’t any vehicles who are also hoping to use the section of drive-way that your future Snorlax is sitting on.
Be Kind to Your Fellow Trainers
If your Pokemon are ready to rumble, use the opportunity to make a new campus friend, not a new enemy. Don’t hold a grudge if that guy standing across from you by ETLC beats you.
Other than that, remember to double check your security settings, consider where the wifi is on campus, and go out there and catch them all!