By Nita Gandhi / Staff Writer

By Nita Gandhi / Staff Writer

College can be scary to the first time student.

Questions are asked about the campus, administration, classes, parking, tutoring, and the Bookstore.

Here are some tips to help first time college students avoid potential problems on campus.

The best tip is to always have a plan. Go to the Riverside City College website, click the “Find Us” link and print out a map of the campus.

It shows all the buildings for classes, departments, and parking lots. Familiarity with the campus will make getting around easier.

Parking is a major problem at RCC. With the construction of the nursing science building, Lot B has been blocked off with only six lanes for parking.

Also, Lot L is blocked off with some parking lanes open because of the construction on the new aquatics complex.

Plan on getting to campus about one hour before class starts in order to find a parking space.

Rush hours in the lots are from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5-6:30 p.m.

Overflow lots are located on Ramona Avenue and Olivewood Avenue and also at the Evans sports complex at Terracina Drive and Magnolia Avenue, however, it will take a while to walk to class.

Avoid parking in yellow lined spaces, they are for faculty and staff.

Parking in these spaces, as well as handicapped spaces will result in a ticket.

Make sure parking permits are visible on the lower left side of the windshield on the driver’s side.

Lot 33 will be open for the 2010/2011 year. It is located on Magnolia Avenue across from the Marriott Hotel and the Convention Center.

A shuttle is available to take students to and from campus, however, the length of the ride depends on traffic on Magnolia.

Shuttle times are available on the RCC website on the parking update link.