If there were a list of things that are stressful when it comes to commuting to college, parking would surely be at the top of the list. The main reasons for the stress that parking causes college students across the United States has to do with the time it takes to park, finding parking spots that are relatively close to your classes, and spots that we feel safe leaving our car in. Since Rutgers-Camden has a large commuter population, these stresses are all too familiar to us. After four years at Rutgers-Camden, I have crafted four key tips to park like a pro at Rutgers-Camden.
Tip #1 : Plan Ahead
The first of these tips is to plan ahead. While this may seem like a pretty basic tip, it is the foundation for success when it comes to parking on our campus. RUC is located in an pretty populated urban area which can make finding parking a bit more challenging. This is what makes planning ahead a key part of parking like a pro. Planning ahead includes things like knowing what time your class is and making sure to give yourself at least 30 minutes to find parking. This is crucial because while finding a spot in our commuter parking lots may be simple, waiting for the shuttle or walking to your class adds extra time that many students don’t account for. Planning ahead can also make sure that you have time to do it all, you have time to get class on time and maybe even swing by the Campus Center for a quick Starbucks trip.
Tip #2: Avoid High Traffic Times
My second tip for parking like a pro is to avoid arriving to campus during high traffic times. During times were classes are just ending and the next class is just beginning, finding parking is going to be more difficult with everyone else coming and going as well. Speaking from personal experience, if you have an 11:10AM course and you are arriving to campus around 10:55AM, which is when the previous class ends, finding parking is going to take longer than normal and be a much more chaotic experience. This also put your ability to arrive to class on time in jeopardy. If you follow tip #1, then this shouldn’t be a problem. If you can’t get to campus 30 minutes before your class, try your best to avoid arrive to campus right when a previous class is ending.
Tip #3: Use the Rutgers-Camden Shuttle Tracker
My third trip would be to use the Rutgers-Camden Shuttle Tracker app. The worst thing is getting to campus in a rush and having to wait for the shuttle to get from our commuter lots to the heart of Rutgers-Camden. To help avoid this problem, download the Rutgers-Camden Shuttle Tracker app. The site can also be accessed through the Rutgers-Camden app and regular internet browsers. This allows students to track our shuttles and see how frequently they are arriving and where they are currently stopped. This can help you plan what time you would like to arrive to campus so you arrive right before the shuttle reaches your parking lot. Through proper planning and the use of the shuttle tracker, you can ensure that you can get to class on time without any extra stress.
Tip #4: Arrive to Campus Early
The fourth and final tip I have would be to arrive to campus early if you plan to use meter parking instead of the commuter parking lots. Street parking in Camden can be challenging and often involves good luck when it comes to finding a good meter parking spot. My personal pro tip when it comes to meter parking is to arrive to campus between 8:00AM and 8:30AM. Being at campus early, and when 8AM classes begin, can ensure that you will have options for meter parking and can get a spot close to your class. While people may be opposed to arriving to campus much earlier than they have to but this can give you extra time to hang out in the Campus Center or head to the library to get some assignments and studying done. Getting to campus early in the morning is a perfect time to enjoy the peace of a quiet campus and be free of distractions to study.
Now You Are Ready to Park like a Pro!
With all this in mind, you are now equipped with all the tools to park like a pro! Be sure to keep these tips in mind to limit the stressors when it comes to parking on your college campus.
By Cristian De Los Santos