Every morning, hundreds of half-asleep students, aggravated parents and stressed-out teachers flock to the parking lot at Marriotts Ridge. Unfortunately, this can be quite a harsh reality check for the young, inexperienced driver. Because this endeavor can be daunting at first, we have taken the liberty to create a quick crash course on navigating the parking lot at Marriotts Ridge for the students. Thank us later.

   First and foremost, all drivers must know about the division between the senior parking lot and everyone else. The senior lot, located between the stadium entrance and the athletic hallway, is a highly guarded area of pavement that exemplifies the power struggles of an American high school–a modern-day gerontocracy of sorts. 

   For everyone else, finding a spot amongst the masses is the best option. Some will venture into the junior lot, although through a sea of judging eyes that option may be a little stressful for newcomers. Others will travel down to the scholar lot, directly in front of the school. These kids will be millionaires one day based on the sheer fact that they get to class before everyone else. Their close proximity to the school allows for a swift entrance at the beginning of the day.

   However, for those who do not feel fit in either of these areas, there is a place for you too. Between these two lots, is an area we like to call ‘no man’s land’. This is where the average Joe is going to park. This area consists of unbothered, complacent people who seek happiness in solitude. Now with all this in mind, one can decide where to park. But this is just the first step.

   In the mornings, not only are there just students trying to find their parking spots, but there are unhappy parents wishing their kids could get their licenses sooner. Unfortunately for the rest of us, we have to reap the drawbacks of this. These parents are super impatient because they have better things to do–like sit at home and drink their morning coffee. 

   Now that one knows where to park and who to watch out for, it is important to learn the unwritten rules of the parking lot that do not get talked about enough. First, patience is key. Parking is hard for young drivers, so remaining calm is essential for optimal traffic flow. Many times, drivers try to get as close as possible to the car attempting to park in front of them, resulting in hysteria for the one parking.

   Our second rule, although not explicitly stated, is that assigned parking does exist, and for many students, it can be extremely upsetting when someone steals their spot. Newer drivers may not know the structure of the assigned parking and destroy the flow in their early days of driving. Unfortunately, instead of having an understanding of the innocence of new drivers, seasoned veterans will take their anger out by yelling and screaming, not an effective strategy.

   “He needs to stop parking in my parking spot because it makes me really angry, and he just got his license so he needs to learn the rules of the parking lot. You don’t just get to park in someone’s spot,” junior Salma Tabana voiced.

   We hope this guide reaches all the new drivers of Marriotts Ridge, before you end up like  the cars they use for prom.