As a seasoned Traditions Way Garage veteran, I can confidently say that getting a parking spot at FSU is no easy feat, but there are a few tips and tricks to increase your chances. Whether you’re a commuting student or someone who can’t take another ticket, finding parking is a challenge that almost everyone must face.
Here are four of my most successful tips to conquer FSU parking!
- Timing it right
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First and foremost, you’re going to want to be there at the right time. Most people assume that moving your car at the crack of dawn is the only way you’ll get a spot, but there’s also a chance that there’ll be no spots, because who actually wakes up that early?
I’ve found that there are two peak parking times: in the late morning and after classes end. In the mornings, (not 5 a.m., but a normal wake-up time like 8 a.m.), people will be leaving for internships and far classes, leaving a few spots open throughout the garage. After classes, typically around 4 p.m., commuters go home, and the on-campus students go on side quests, so there are usually plenty of people leaving the garage around that time.
Not only is the time of day you choose essential, but the day of the week can make or break your parking success. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are almost always the easiest days to park. Unless it’s a game day weekend, then it’s the absolute worst occasion to try to find parking, so make sure to keep note of the game days! If you time it right, your chances of finding and securing an overnight spot can increase quite a bit.
- Standing on business
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If you’ve ever tried to find a parking spot in Traditions, you know it can be a frustrating and sometimes ruthless process. You could be circling the garage for half an hour and finally find a spot, only for someone to swoop in and take it right out from under you. It doesn’t take long to realize that it’s a battlefield out there, so you have to make sure you understand the unspoken rules of survival.
One of the most important rules to know is what to do when you see someone backing out of a spot. Typically, the best approach is to inch your car forward carefully without blocking their exit, so that you’re close enough to signal that you want to take their spot. Turn your blinker on, give them a little wave to thank them, and wait for them to pull out. If another driver tries to sneak in and take the spot before you can pull in, don’t be afraid to stand your ground.
Giving someone a firm look, or a polite honk, is more than justified when you’ve made it clear you were planning on parking there. This street goes both ways, though. To be respected by other drivers, it’s necessary to give them respect too. So, if you see another car patiently waiting for someone to back out, it’s best if you respect the fact that they got there first and keep looking elsewhere.
- Following
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Now I know this tip sounds odd, but I promise it’s not as concerning as it seems! Sometimes you don’t have the chance to time your parking perfectly, and you have to use some other methods to get a spot. One of the most underrated strategies is driving around the first floor of Traditions Way until you see someone walking towards the stairs or their car.
If you roll down your window and ask, they’ll usually tell you if they’re heading out and will lead you to their spot! Don’t be afraid to use this method if needed, as long as you sound polite and friendly, it’s a great way to secure a spot and even make a potential friend.
- last resorts
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Finally, it’s time to go over some last-resort parking options. We’ve all been there, running late for a class or appointment and frantically hunting for a place to park. I know I’m not the only one who’s taken the occasional ticket for the convenience of finding a quick parking spot. If you’re ever in a pinch, there are a few lots around campus that allow for short-term parking.
FSU’s Transportation & Parking Services page goes into more detail about specific rules, but generally, students are allowed to park in the Student White Spaces, which are parking spots with white lines. Red parking spots are reserved for faculty, so don’t park there unless you want a fine! Student White Spaces are scattered across campus, and FSU’s website has a map that highlights the different student parking areas.
Hopefully, these tips will help you score a spot in Traditions Way Garage, but if not, don’t worry, as there are always random spots around campus to park in. Good luck, and may the parking spirits be ever in your favor!
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