Lazarus,
I admire your obvious dedication to learning (16 and going to college!!!). Your concerns for personal safety are also commendable; you understand that anyone can be the victim of a crime. That you understand this idea says that you are keenly observant. My advice:
Remain as aware of your environment as possible. When I transferred to a senior college, the first thing I did was walk the campus, learning the best routes to and from my dormitory, classes, library, cafeteria, and parking lots. Once I got the lay of the land, I felt more comfortable (but remained observant of my surroundings). Back then, the only thing I carried was a folding knife and my martial arts training. BEING AWARE TAKES CARE OF HALF OF YOUR SELF-DEFENSE.
As mentioned in a previous post, travel in groups.
Carry yourself with confidence; the BG aren't interested in victims whom they know will fight back.
Avoid small, constricting areas (narrow walkways in between buildings, shortcuts off the beaten tracks, etc.) Put yourself in the BG's shoes--if it seems like a compromising area, chances are, it is.
Don't be afraid to draw attention to yourself if you think something's about to happen. Attention=Witnesses=Help
Several members posted about carrying OC spray. DO IT, BY ALL MEANS! What sold me on OC spray was an incident in north Florida. A man was at a payphone and two gangbangers wanted his money. Reaching for his wallet, he calmly grabbed his OC spray, which was clipped to his belt, and doused them. The gangbangers went down. The man called the cops, who arrived in five minutes, and he told them he had a handgun in his vehicle. He nixed getting the gun because the OC spray incapacitated the BG well enough.
If you have the time and the finances, seek out a martial arts school. Inquire whether or not they focus on martial arts for fitness, sport, or self-defense (some do all three). Make it clear you are interested only in self-defense. As far as consumer tips for finding a reputable school, here goes. Ask how long the school has been around (the more years, the more reliable). If the instructor claims to be a 7th degree black belt and is only thirty-something, beat it. 1st degree=at least 3 yrs. experience. 2nd degree=5 yrs. 3rd degree=8-9 yrs. 4th degree=12-13 yrs. 5th degree=17-18 yrs. Get the picture?
Best wishes and good graces!