To the freshman who took my parking spot:

There I was cruising around the parking lot after taking my friends to the grocery store. We had only been gone for an hour, and I left a very good parking spot behind. Being that the parking spot was so valuable I did not expect it to be there when I got back. I did however expect to find a different spot. After all, the school offers a big parking lot where only sophomores, and the few juniors and seniors that choose to live on campus, can park. Alas, when I arrived at my spot it was taken. Oh well-- but then I noticed there was no F&M parking sticker on the back of the vehicle. I drove around some more looking for another spot. Again, I saw cars without the valid parking stickers. I continued to park on the street and walk back in the cold with all of my grocery bags.

So, to the freshman who took my parking spot: WHY IS YOUR CAR HERE? It is very well known that freshmen are not allowed to have cars on campus. Have you ever thought maybe that rule is in place for a reason?

Firstly, the school has built a parking lot to support those who live on campus, excluding the freshmen. By you bringing your car you take a spot from someone who actually is meant to have one. Honestly, that is just rude. The upperclassmen who are meant to have the parking spots waited out their freshmen years without cars-- you can do it, too!

You have a large meal plan that allows you to eat on campus everyday. I know you do because you were required to purchase that meal plan just like I was required to do so last year. You do not need this car to take you to eat off campus because you pay to eat on campus! I know, I know-- it is not the best food, but you pay for it so you might as well get some use out of your money.

Need groceries? Or just to get away? Okay, fine. Ask an upperclassmen! This system is designed to help you meet people older (who are allowed to have cars) and are willing to help you. We remember what it was like freshman year to be stuck on campus with no way to go places. We also remember the kind upperclassmen who drove us where we needed to go. Let us be those people for you!

There are also a lot of great places to eat or get away to walking distance from campus. OKA, Iron Hill, and Mean Cup are just a few of the many places you can walk to from campus, and they all have delicious food for when you need to give your body a break from Dhall. Mean Cup also doubles as a relaxing study space when campus starts to feel claustrophobic. On the same strip as Mean Cup there is a nail salon and yoga studio. On the same strip as Iron Hill there is a hair salon and CVS. What more could you really need? There is even a Turkey Hill within walking distance that stays open 24/7 for late-night snacking!

So again I ask WHY IS YOUR CAR HERE?

Enjoy being a freshman. Milk everything you can out of the innocence and lack of responsibility-- including mooching off of other people with cars. One day you'll miss it.

Sincerely,

A Nostalgic Sophomore Who Wants Her Parking Spot Back