15 Floors Too High

My family has felt it necessary to warn me about every little bump they can imagine me running into during college. Summer vacation wasn't a time of daydreaming, but a season of foreboding. My parents made certain that I come face to face with reality about the big transition. Unfortunately, their idea of reality consisted of alcohol, bad people, unruly professors, mountains of homework, and (my least favorite topic) how being around my best friend so much would make us hate each other. Needless to say, they had my nerves fried before I even got here.
When they, along with my roommate's family, saw our little dorm room on the 16th floor, they shook their heads and commented about how we were "15 floors too high." It wasn't until after they tore away from us, doubtlessly to run home and cry about "their little babies", that the mood changed. What apprehension I had disappeared, replaced by a sense of satisfaction; "I'm on my own," I thought happily.
But this was far from the truth. Within days I'd met new friends and come to the realization that I wasn't alone; these people would help me at every turn and I would do the same for them. I'd never really understood what people mean when they talk about a "sense of community", but it's something that I quickly fell into at USC. It's the most important part of the Carolinian Creed to me; demonstration of concern for others. Now I'm just hoping that things keep going as well as they are.