The students of Lawrence Central High School have many options for getting to school, but driving opens up several advantages to the students. Driving allows licensed students unmatched convenience and flexibility since driving home enables one to set their own schedule and not deal with time associated with using public transport or school buses.
For one, parking is available; hence, students can easily attend school without the hustle of waiting for a bus and the stress of being crammed in. In addition, having an abundance of parking spaces reduces the frustration of finding a parking spot. It also allows for freedom and flexibility, making the commuting experience much more pleasant and efficient. Gabe Rodarte, a Junior who is a new driver said “I feel like it’s been easier and harder since I got my license because when I rode the bus I would always get there on time, but now that I leave on my own time I’m later more. But I don’t have to wake up as early for the bus and I can leave when I want. It also gives me additional freedom on the weekends or after school to hang out with friends.”
Driving also gives students at LC personal and comfortable space in which students may play their favorite music or podcasts as they drive to school. In the words of freshman Josh Jankowski, “The car is better, and the seats are really more comfortable. The bus takes too long.”
Relying on the bus can come with several drawbacks. Freshman Rhett Johnson relies on the bus and sums it up by saying “Cars are easier because the bus is late and there are a lot of people on the bus.” Crowded buses can make for an uncomfortable ride, and the delays so often caused by traffic or scheduling issues can add unnecessary stress to a student’s morning routine.
Another option may be the students walking to school. Walking provides students a lot of independence, but has several drawbacks that neither bus or car riders experience. We asked Isaiah Scantlebury, a junior at LC about his walking experience and he said “It took me about 15 minutes to get to school and I had to wear a coat, patriots stocking hat, and closed-toed shoes to stay warm”. The final thing he said was that “If you have an option to ride the bus or ride in a car you should do that instead of walking”.
Driving will give students with tight schedules more time management; thus they can easily combine their academic work with extracurricular activities. In the end, driving is the best choice for students commuting to Lawrence Central. Comfortable, flexible, and convenient, it is little wonder that driving is preferred by many students as a means of getting to school.
