It was a beautiful morning that summer day. I neatly packed ( 将...打包 ) everything that I needed into my little green car. Then I started my car and drove out of my large neighborhood ( 街坊 ) in Lawrenceville. Today was the day I would move into college. I glanced back at my house for one last time and knew life would never be the same. Taking that big step from living at home to moving away involved ( 包括 ) many gains and losses. Arriving at college that day, I realized that I had already lost many things. First, I had lost my parents’ guidance ( 指导 ) I had had all my life. The comfort ( 舒适 ) and support of my family would not be there as much as before. For instance, when I got sick my mother would make me some hot soup and care for me. Now I would have to care for myself. Also, I had left some of my closest friends. Many of them had chosen to go to different colleges. It is difficult to keep in touch with ( 与...保持联系 ) friends who are far away. I would miss the nights all the girls would get together and talk about what was going on in their lives. Finally, I noticed that I was missing my hometown. I had lived near big stores and several movie theatres. Here at college I feel as if I am in the country ( 乡下 ). I can’t find any store as big as those in Lawrenceville. Maybe, as time goes on I will come to like the move. Now that I have been in college for a few weeks, I am discovering that it is not as bad as I thought it would be. I have gained new friends from all parts of Georgia ( 佐治亚州 ) and who knows, maybe they will become some of my closest friends. We all have classes together and go to the same parties. Secondly, I have been able to become more independent. For example, I used to need someone by my side wherever I went, but here I feel so comfortable with my surroundings ( 环境 ) that I sometimes like to take walks by myself. Lastly, I have learned to be more responsible for my actions. I know that homework always comes first and that my social life must wait until all my work is done. (395 words)