My campus life

The taxi rolled to a stop in front of Westbridge University’s dormitory, and Olivia Parker pressed her face against the window, trying to drink in every detail. It was all so real — the huge brick buildings glowed warmly in the afternoon sun, their ivy-covered walls giving them an air of history. Tall, leafy trees lined the sidewalk, swaying gently in the breeze. Students bustled everywhere, dragging suitcases and chatting loudly, their laughter echoing across the courtyard. The scent of freshly cut grass mixed with the faint aroma of coffee from a nearby café. “This is it,” she whispered, her heart pounding. A mixture of excitement and nerves twisted inside her stomach like a coil. She dragged her suitcase up to the entrance, trying not to stumble over the uneven pavement. Why does the hallway look exactly like in the pictures online? she wondered, glancing around. Every poster, every window, every narrow corridor seemed eerily identical to the photos she had memorized. After checking in with the dorm supervisor, a kind but brisk woman who barely looked up from her clipboard, Olivia climbed the stairs to Room 214 — her new home for the next year. Her legs felt like jelly, her hands a little clammy, but she pushed herself forward. When she opened the door, she froze for a second. Inside, a girl with perfect curls and wireless earbuds was typing furiously on a laptop, completely absorbed in her own world. The rhythmic tapping of the keys filled the room, mingling with the faint hum of the air conditioner. “Hi,” Olivia said nervously, forcing a small smile. “I think I’m your roommate.” Tasha paused mid-laugh, pulling her earbuds out and tilting her head. “Wait… you’re the new freshman? Finally!” she said, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “You better keep up with me.” Olivia swallowed hard, feeling both intimidated and relieved. Keep up with her? she thought. She had no idea what that meant yet, but she forced herself to nod, hoping it sounded confident. By the afternoon, Olivia had met three more dorm mates. First was Mia, a self-proclaimed drama queen with glittering nails that seemed to sparkle even in the dim dorm lighting. She had a loud laugh that made Olivia jump the first time she heard it. Then came Jasmine, a quiet girl with soft brown eyes and a tiny dog tucked carefully in her backpack. The dog peeked out, wagging its tail cautiously, sniffing Olivia’s hand before retreating. Finally, Nia, who seemed slightly older than the others, had already started scribbling in what she called the welcome committee notebook. She looked up at Olivia with a polite smile and nodded. Olivia spent the last hour unpacking, fumbling with boxes, and spilling water all over her textbooks at least twice. The small chaos of her belongings — neatly stacked clothes, books scattered across the bed, and a half-open backpack — mirrored the whirlwind of her thoughts. Am I too shy? she asked herself, biting her lip. Will I ever make friends here? What if I mess everything up in the first week? Her heart thudded in her chest as she set down the last of her boxes. The room felt smaller now, but also warmer, more alive. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of nerves and excitement within her. “This is it,” she whispered again, this time letting a small smile tug at her lips. “My new life starts now.”