Whether it’s rushing to find parking while running late to class, or dealing with the crowding during the busiest times of the day, parking is an additional stressor at school. Students strategize their timing and plan ahead for the best places to park during popular class times on campus.
Thousand Oaks resident Tanner Shapiro said that he typically has to leave 40 minutes to an hour early to get good parking for his 10 a.m. class. A common issue he faces with parking is the chaos when entering and exiting the lots.
“One time when I was in a line of 10 or 15 cars to leave the lot, a student actually backed into me,” said Shapiro. “The lot was really crowded.”
Crowded parking lots are of no help when students are in a time crunch, especially when they don’t have time to search for a spot. Everyone knows the feeling of panic when realizing their usual place to park is full when running late for class. When asked if he had any tips on where to park if a student is running late, Shapiro recommended another lot.
“There are typically always open spots at the [H Lot] when I’m running late.”
Simi Valley resident Seul Ye also shared her favorite spots to park on campus.
“My classes are in the morning and at night, and I still have to come thirty minutes to an hour early,” said Ye. “I usually park in the [A Lot] or the garage and just go straight up because I don’t have time to look around.”
Campus Safety Officer Spencer Neveaux, who has worked at Moorpark College for 6 years, weighed in on which lots tend to be the busiest throughout the year.
“F lot will always be the busiest lot on campus. It will always be the one to fill up first, and will always be the last to empty, just because it’s such a good location for anyone taking classes in the Academic Center, said Neveaux. “The next busiest lots would probably be the B and C lots.”
His tip for students is simply to arrive as early as possible.
“It doesn’t matter what time of year or which semester it is, show up early for class,” said Neveaux. “It’s tougher for kids in the middle of the day like the 10 and 11 a.m. classes. Showing up an hour early helps.”
Another tip Neveaux added is to check down the isles even if the lot looks full.
“When I drive up and down the isles with my partner, they look full, but there can be tons of vacant spots in between.”
