Parking Tips for Students: Navigating Campus and City Parking with Ease

Parking on campus is a matter of the early bird getting the worm. By arriving 30 minutes before your start time you have enough time to settle in without being overly eager. This extra hour can mean the difference between starting off peacefully and running across campus exhausted by the time your first lecture starts. Even better is to research parking locations near your classes beforehand at the start of the semester. Note when lots can be sold out and what areas are occupied more often at different times of day.

The majority of universities have several parking permit types for the students. Generally these are both expensive spots near academic buildings and cheaper spots in lots further away from the center of campus. Depending on what classes you have, your budget and the number of times you plan to drive to campus will all affect what permit will suit you. In some instances, a slightly higher permit can actually save you time and frustration during the semester.

Although the purpose of this article is parking, there are some very good public transport options available at most universities. Sometimes you can do better than driving and use campus shuttles, buses or light rail instead — particularly on those days when parking is guaranteed to be extremely difficult. Most campuses have a park-and-ride area that allows you to leave your vehicle and take a shuttle to class. That combination of modes can provide you with a little of everything – having your car ready to go when needed, without having to worry about parking in an area where people are circling.

The weather can make a huge difference in your parking strategy, especially when the weather is bad. There could be spots that you cannot use in winters due to snow accumulation. Covered parking lots are a bit more expensive, but it will help you keep your vehicle out of the rain and save you from having to sand ice off your windshield on a cold morning. Conversely, when it’s hot out, a shaded parking space could actually be an improvement in your experience returning to your car after a long day of class.

Safety is of prime importance when you are planning to park your vehicle. It’s particularly useful for the students who frequently walk to or from their cars in the morning or late evening. There are several campuses that provide safety escort services for students parking further out. Also note emergency phones and parking where you are, it’s a good place to park in the evening and not necessarily near security cameras. Some parking apps now include safety options like allowing you to recall where you parked or return to your car.

Budget, especially if you’re a student, might be a major determining factor in parking arrangements. We might always want to choose the cheapest parking, but you need to pay for it – both financially and in terms of time. A parking pass that is a little cheaper but means an extra 20 minutes to walk to classes isn’t the best deal if you’ll be late, or skip them all altogether. In contrast, the costs of parking tickets can quickly destroy any savings in deciding to park in the forbidden areas. If you develop a realistic parking budget at the start of each semester, you will know what you’re making.