Should I buy a UBC parking pass as a first year MD student?

[fungi.funguy]

Hi everyone,

I am a bit unsure on how many days a week I will be spending on campus. Perhaps someone can give me some advice regarding parking passes for a first year medical student. I understand that there is some variation because of holidays, FLEX, and shadowing, but maybe I can get an average. So here are a few questions regarding parking and days a week at certain locations:

1. Would it be a good idea to buy a UBC parking pass as a first year medical student?
2. How many days a week am I expected (on average) to spend at the UBC campus?
3. How many days a week am I expected (on average) to spend at the Diamond Health Centre?

Thanks!

[jumbocup]

If you were going to buy a pass, it'll likely be most cost-effective in year 1 as you'll be spending MWF (8-5) and some odd Tu/Thurs at UBC for clin skills etc. Buy it for the Thunderbird Parkade (assuming that parking is still allocated on a per parkade basis). You'll have discounted parking as a med student for parking at Diamond, though it'll still be around $9/day. There's some free parking spots around VGH but they're usually 2H zones during business hours so you could either risk getting a ticket or move your parking spot every few hours. 

Beyond first year, it's no longer that economical to buy a parking pass at UBC as you'll spend most of your time at Diamond, and around various hospitals in your clerkship years. 

Hope this helps!