With the first day of fall semester classes starting at the University of Texas, the sidewalks on campus are packed. When the crossing light turns green, so are the streets.

University officials estimate about 50,000 students are taking classes on campus this semester and squeezing everyone in isn't easy. What's worse, is finding a parking space.

“It's horrible,” said Lauren Scott, a UT student.

“'C' lot can be pretty gruesome,” said Amanda Ryza, a UT student.

Parking is horrible and gruesome? How bad can it really be?

“You just have to circle around parking lots and wait until somebody leaves,” said Sharhrukh Noormohammad, UT student.

When there are obvious parking spaces available, they’re typically in reserved lots for faculty and special permits. Students usually have to wait for a spot in one of the outlying lots.

“At least 30 minutes to an hour, yeah, everybody's fighting for a spot here,” said Barret Hendricks, a UT student.

KVUE tested the wait game. It took about 10 minutes before a spot opened up in one of the campus’ ‘C’ lots, which students say is the worst type of parking lot on campus. However, it was the middle of the day. Students say they have found other ways to deal with biggest rush in the morning.

“I've learned to park in the garage, just pay the money or else you're not going to get to class on time," Noormohammad said.

“I actually took the bus,” Scott said.

Plenty of other students choose to walk or ride a bike. Parking has become a hassle some students are willing to sacrifice.

“I think that for students, you use a parking spot more often, I think that'd be more valuable than a ticket to a game," Hendricks said.

UT administrators estimate about 7,000 students here are new to the UT campus this semester. Most of those students live on campus.