As students start to grow older, the anticipation of obtaining their driver’s license grows along with that. With the newfound enjoyment of driving comes some challenges. Sophomores begin to drive to school, off campus to lunch and to their sports, making parking spots become more competitive. Office Secretary Heidi Hannan explains how students may need to start thinking outside the box when it comes to finding a spot in the morning.
“I think a lot of it is perception, like, you know, that seems so far, but by the time you’re looking all over for a spot if you just pulled in and walked straight to the door, you would be all set,” Hannan said. “You have to just plan ahead, but we have the places like the Boulevard, Fisher, and places like the J-Lot that people forget about.”
When spaces begin to fill quicker and earlier, this generates panic for upperclassmen who do not have a spot in the J or S-Lot. Along with already getting up early for school, students have to start thinking about how quickly they need to leave home to get a spot close to the school. Anna Vandeputte ’26 expresses the problems that arise with wanting an easily accessible parking space.
“When wanting a good Fisher spot, that comes with the early times which can be extremely challenging before school,” Vandeputte said. “On a cold winter morning, I just want my bed but I know that’s not possible when I have to get to school before the rush of people.”
New drivers are now experiencing the challenges that come with getting their licenses and having the responsibility of getting themselves to school. The aggression that students face when fighting for a parking spot along with that generates some stress. Newly licensed Courtney Cowan ’27 experiences these issues firsthand.
“I never realized the pressure that comes with finding a parking spot before school,” Cowan said. “Parking has become a real stress in my life along with school that I never knew was going to be an issue.”
