UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
STUDENT BLOG
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Navigating Your First Year as a USC Trojan
by Lanie Brice
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Navigating Your First Year as a Spring Admit
by Lanie Brice
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How to Balance Your Social Life During Finals
by Donal Buckley
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Study Tips and Habits to Get Through Finals Season
by Lauren Liang
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Navigating Your First Year as a Trojan: A Quick Guide for Freshmen and Transfers
Welcome, newly minted Trojans! This week, you’ll be packing your bags in your childhood bedroom and unpacking them in your brand new dorm room or apartment in Los Angeles. As you navigate a new school and possibly a new city, you’ll naturally have heaps of questions. Here at Trojans360, we’re here to help you choose the right dining hall, find your way around campus, and calm your nerves about everything being so new.
The BEST Finals Study Tips & Tricks
By: Ela Rybak ‘25
With finals around the corner, studying is at the forefront of most people’s minds. However, you may feel stuck in a rut with study techniques that no longer feel beneficial. There are a variety of study methods, and the most effective method will depend on your learning style and preferences. Here are some general tips and strategies that may be helpful as you prepare for these major cumulative exams.
Day in the Life of a Cognitive Science Major
By: Lauren Liang ‘23
Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of a junior Cognitive Science major looks like? Well, welcome to a Wednesday in my life this Spring:
Why I Decided to Minor in Digital Studies
By: Lauren Liang ‘23
If you’re anything like me, you’ve combed through USC’s course catalog more times than you can count, scouring the website for the perfect minor. After hours of deliberation, cross-checking my academic progress, and exploring required courses for a plethora of minors, I decided to declare my first minor in Digital Studies, within the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA).
Why I Decided to Major in Business Administration
By: Ela Rybak ‘25
When I tell strangers about my major, I normally get one of two responses – a knowing nod or a weird mixture of a shrug and a smile. And I get it. People have a preconceived notion that business majors are only looking for a high-paying job. Finding a job that offers a secure lifestyle is truly a significant accomplishment. However, this is far from the main reason why I chose to major in business.
I Want to Change My Major…Now What?
By: Hannah Skinner ‘23
Changing your major is one of the many daunting and explorative aspects of college, but it’s not as uncommon as you think it might be. In fact, I changed mine twice! If you’re reading this, you’ve probably decided to change your major, but how does the process work? Here’s a step by step guide to embarking on a new academic journey.
PR486: A Beginner’s Guide to Design Breaking Down The Adobe Suite
By: Kathryn Aurelio ‘25
Once I got accepted to USC, I made it my mission to take advantage of Annenberg’s free subscription. I religiously checked my phone to look for open seats in a class that was the perfect marriage of strategy in PR and beginner’s design, PR486: Multimedia PR Content: Introduction to Digital Design Tools. I knew this 2-unit class every Wednesday afternoon would be a welcoming experience and a reliable home base for my interdisciplinary (PR, design, and music industry) interests. After a semester kick starting my Adobe design journey, this class inspired me to pursue a minor in Communication Design at Roski and helped me establish a foundational skill set that I can list on my resume and a solid piece for my portfolio.
My Favorite Class I’ve Taken At USC: BAEP 450 – The Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship
By: Ani Antonyan ‘24
Have you ever turned to tutoring, dog walking, or babysitting to earn some extra money? Have you ever wondered how to take that to the next level to start your own profitable business venture? Look no further than BAEP 450: The Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship.
My Life Studying Abroad in London with Annenberg
By: Aedan Henry ’24 (USC Student Life Guest Blogger)
USC’s fantastic study abroad programs are one of the reasons that I chose the university. I had the opportunity this Spring to go to London through my Communication major at Annenberg, so I decided to finally take the leap. It’s my first time traveling outside of North America, and it’s been an absolute blast so far. If you’re considering studying abroad in a future semester, here’s what the day-to-day of the experience looks like for me and why you should try it yourself.
My experience as a staff writer for Descent Magazine
By: Tamanna Sood ‘24
Are you a person who identifies as APIDA (Asian Pacific Isander Desi-American)? Do you enjoy writing prose/poetry or dabble in the arts? Well, Descent Magazine is made for you! I joined Descent as a staff writer at the beginning of last semester. I’ve always enjoyed writing poetry and prose, and I always aspired to be a published writer. As a journalism major in college, however, I felt myself quickly getting jaded with the staccato of AP style writing and was craving for an outlet for creative writing. Descent has filled that void for me.
Why You Should Take CTWR 409: Fundamentals of Screenwriting
By: Kristen Adams ‘25
Whether you’re a business major who writes pitches, an acting major interested in exploring the behind-the-scenes, or a journalism major who just loves to write, storytelling is everywhere and in everything we do. As a Business of Cinematic Arts major who loves watching sci-fi and psychological thrillers, I took CTWR 409 just for fun, and unexpectedly came out of the class with a newly added Screenwriting minor! Here are 3 reasons why you should consider taking this class.
Spotlighting Girl Up USC and Q&A with GirlUpUSC President Rumaisa Islam!
By: Tamanna Sood ‘24
Founded in 2010 by the United Nations Foundation, Girl Up is a girl-centered leadership development initiative focusing on equity for girls and women in underrepresented spaces. I first learned about Girl Up through my friend Rumaisa Islam, who coincidentally happens to be the president of the USC chapter this year. I recently got the chance to sit down with Islam to learn more about the organization: