It’s no secret: the UC High parking lot leaves a lot to be desired. The design of the space is not only completely convoluted but is entirely unpredictable. One must be extremely cautious and unwaveringly precise in navigation of the parking lot, something few drivers seem to have grasped. Between a jigsaw of complicated parts and confusingly arranged spaces, the UC High parking is, in every respect, decidedly deficient. 

   The issue of the parking lot starts early in the morning, when hordes of confused parents congest the few lanes available into the school and impede students’ ability to get to class on time. Drivers have to leave at ungodly, early times in order to secure a space before the first bell rings. 

   There is little that students detest more than the struggle to exit the parking lot at the end of the day. The congestion and utter discombobulation, paired with midday manners (or lack thereof) is heightened during the mass exodus of students to their after-school lives. Senior Sidney Gillum understands this all too well: “If your teacher doesn’t let you out right at the bell, it takes twenty minutes to get out of the parking lot.” Gillum took sixth period home this year to avoid the traffic after school, in order to get to her after-school activities on time. “I think if someone has to sacrifice an extra elective to get out of the wait time, something’s wrong,” Gillum said. 

   For obvious financial reasons, it would be difficult to renovate the parking lot. However, teachers who have been at UC High for a while will hasten to remind students of a time where the situation was far, far worse. Math teacher John Fiorentino said, “A couple years ago, they re-did everything and it seemed to improve the situation somewhat, but we still have the one long line coming down the hill.” Nevertheless, students choose to not heed this wisdom and mumble of the exasperating parking lot they are acquainted with. We sympathize with them: after all, this parking lot is all they have ever known. 

   It would benefit the entire student body of UC High to improve the parking lot situation. Failing that, a class for all parents and student drivers on proper driving courtesy and traffic rules could potentially suffice. Failing that, everyone should probably just deal with it.