i brought my previous laptop to college for over 2 years. once it fell off a desk and rolled over the floor! luckily it was in its bag. i hated that bag as it was bulky and alkward, but only for it, my laptop would have been tecnological pizza. that laptop, about 5 years old now still works like the day i got it, and still looks almost new! get a good bag/case. dont worry about big/bulky, as long as its a backpack or something you should be ok with it. durability and padding are the most important features! im like you, i loathe bringing my MBP out of the house for fear of it falling or getting scratched, but whats teh point of it being portable if i dont. i could have just got an iMac with bigger screen!. its portable for a reason. if you bring it out occasionally you will learn to trust yourself with it.