OK, so you’re enrolled and you’ve got all of your books. Your new pencils and pens are ready to fill up your blank spirals, and things are normal with your roommate (so far). You think that you are all ready for school, when suddenly, you remember. How am I going to get there?

There are several options for transportation to get to school. One option, if you have a car and would like to drive to school, is to buy a parking pass. Without purchasing one and attempting to sneak by OU, you are very likely to get a ticket (usually $25). Even parking somewhere on campus for a minute or two without a permit is pretty risky—the parking attendants seem to materialize from the shadows. A student parking permit is $195, which covers the fall and spring semesters. This permit allows a driver to park in designated commuter or housing lots, depending on the type of permit. But beware because the parking rule is “first come, first served,” and some lots fill up fast.

If you want to drive to school but don’t want to worry about finding a spot, there is also a reserved parking permit offered for $889/year. This permit, while pricey, allows the driver to park in specially reserved places in the Elm or Asp parking facilities.

But there are much cheaper ways to get to school than the purchase of a parking permit. One option is to ride a bicycle. This option costs nothing at all after you get the bike and you’ll also get some exercise! There are bike racks located outside every OU building and although they sometimes get very full (especially outside Gittinger and Catlett), the racks never completely fill up. If you lock up your bike somewhere that is not a bike rack, you can also be issued a “ticket,” but these cannot be enforced since it is not necessary to register your bike at the school. The drawback of biking is that winters can be cold, springs rainy, summers hot and autumns windy.

If you live in an apartment, many complexes offer shuttles scheduled at regular times to take students to school. Check your complex’s website to see if this service is available or if you are looking for an apartment, make sure to ask if they offer shuttle service. Usually apartment shuttles are free. They drop students off in the South Oval on campus, on the east side. But shuttle users beware—sometimes these shuttles make other stops, so make sure that you have plenty of time the first time you take it. This way, you can time the length of the ride and keep it in mind for the future.

Another option is to park, bike or walk to the Lloyd Noble Center and hop on the shuttle, which operates through the CART bus system. With a 5-to-10 minute service until 6 p.m. and a 20 minute service from 6-9 p.m., this shuttle is available whenever you need it. This service is also free to OU students!

10 Tips to avoid a parking ticket:

1. Leave the car at home and ride the bus! Cleveland Area Rapid Transit provides comprehensive, user-friendly public transportation for both the University of Oklahoma and the City of Norman. The best part is it is free to all OU students!

2. Make sure your permit is valid for the lot where you wish to park.

3. Arrive on campus in plenty of time to find a parking space. Getting on campus 15 minutes early can save you time looking for parking.

4. Familiarize yourself with the parking designations in close proximity to your destinations so you know the best lot to park for where you are going.

5. Review the OU Parking Rules and Regulations book when you purchase your permit to ensure you are informed about the expectations and requirements of parking on campus.

6. If you do receive a citation, contact OU Parking Services promptly for further guidance.

7. Visit the newly redesigned OU Parking Services Web site at www.ou.edu/parking for the latest information regarding parking, including frequently asked questions and best kept parking secrets on campus.

8. Always feel free to visit the OU Parking Services office on the 3rd floor of Robertson Hall or call 405.325.3311 for any questions, comments or even complaints.

9. If you park at a metered spot, be sure to apply the correct change to reflect how long you will be parked.

10. If you insist on bringing a car to campus, purchase a parking permit from OU Parking Services either in person on the 3rd floor of Robertson Hall or online at www.ou.edu/parking.