Campus parking still an epic battle
Every year at the beginning of the fall semester it becomes impossible to find a parking spot. Experienced students know to arrive on campus early enough to find a spot and still have time to get to class. I’ve even gotten to the point of taking a 7:30 a.m. class because most students seem to take a 9 a.m. class as their earliest class.
This fall, Saddleback College’s parking problem seems to be the worst of the two years I have been a student. In the past, the craziness in the parking lots has only lasted for the first three weeks of a new semester. This time around I’m still having days where its difficult to find a spot and it’s now November.
One of the first things that many of my previous instructors have talked about on the first day is tardiness and being absent. It could affect your final grade in the class. So it’s becoming very irritating to arrive to class 15 or 20 minutes late because of limited parking. I have been tempted to park in a staff spot but the cop turning the corner eliminated my temptation.
As I drive around in hopes of someone leaving, I can’t help but notice all the empty parking spots designated for staff only. Are there really that many staff members here on campus at the same time? Luckily some staff-only spots allow student parking after 5 p.m. Of course, this doesn’t help me get to my 9 a.m. class on time.
My advice for the morning students is to arrive at least 30 minutes before class starts. Otherwise you’ll end spending quite a bit of time waiting for someone to leave the campus.