There are some common emotions TCU students might experience while on the quest for an on-campus parking spot. These feelings can easily be categorized into stages, somewhat similar to the stages of grief.
This process begins as you drive into the lot looking for a space, because surely, there has to at least be ONE spot you can park in.
DENIAL/SHOCK
Then the denial hits.
There is no way that student was forced to park illegally… right? They probably just wanted to.
Then, comes the shock. It turns out that despite the fact that you showed up twenty minutes before class, there are in fact, no spaces.
PAIN & GUILT
Then you sit hopelessly with the air conditioning on full blast playing Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years,” realizing that is how long you have to wait for the next open parking spot.
ANGER & BARGAINING
As you get to the chorus, debating whether or not to go to class, you see a student walking to their car.
You think, “I am the chosen one.”
You become the next Danica Patrick as you race to follow them, but someone else steals the sacred spot before you even turn on your blinker.
You bargain with the parking gods that if you can find a spot, you will come earlier next time.
In that moment, you actually see a space between two huge trucks and think they’ve answered your prayers. In actuality, you pull up and realize a tiny little car is actually in the space. In that moment your hatred for smart cars is solidified.
You start making aggressive eye contact with people who pull into the lot after you’ve been there for what seems like eternity…They don’t understand what you’ve been through.
DEPRESSION, REFLECTION, LONELINESS
You circle the lot multiple times questioning just how early you have to come to campus and why there’s not a single space to park in.
THE UPWARD TURN
You change your Spotify playlist and start thinking positively–because that is literally all you can do at this point… besides park illegally.
RECONSTRUCTION & WORKING THROUGH
With a new outlook on life (thanks Spotify), you park your car in a prime stakeout zone and prey on the first person that might (even remotely) look like they are heading to a vehicle.
You do your best to make friendly eye contact– while trying to mask your desperation– in hopes they not notice you slowly pulling up on them in your car.
ACCEPTANCE & HOPE
Forty-five minutes later, you finally get a spot and somehow forgive the ten people who stole spots from you. With your anger melting away, you walk to your class that started fifteen minutes ago.
