I’m currently with thirty of my new closest friends in the lobby of Fisher Hall, watching our new hometown team, the Thunder, in the NBA Finals.

A definite highlight of my time here at Institute so far has been the dorm aspect of it all. Right now, I have 150 roommates, and they’re among the most hardworking, dynamic people I’ve ever met in my life. Everyone has been nothing but positive and supportive; I told my mom earlier today that they won’t let me have a bad day. That helps.

While there isn’t the same sense of whimsy and practical joking as there was in the Pi Kapp house three years ago, it helps so much to be around so many people. Everyone definitely buys into the community aspect of things. There’s always a group huddled around the tv and another group in the opposite corner of the lobby, working on our assignments. Though the people change, the general group is always there. That also helps.

Every day, my bus is one of the first one’s back because it’s so close to campus. I run in, take off my tie, untuck my shirt, then wait in then wait for everyone else to come in. I spend the next fifteen minutes dispensing hugs, chatting people up, and spreading the love. It’s always a highlight of my day and something that keeps me going.

Yeah, it’s really tough here. But there are so many things supporting me and pushing me forward that I don’t think about it that much.