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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Beating the Post-Spring Break Blues
Post-vacation blues are such a real thing. When you’re on vacation, it feels as though nothing matters, and you have all the time in the world to just enjoy yourself. Time often stands still, and there’s no better feeling.
Should You Join Thematic Option
One of my biggest fears when starting at USC was the sheer size of the student body. I went to a tiny high school where everyone knew everyone. Moving to a university with over 20,000 students, I was scared I would drown. This was one of the main reasons I joined Thematic Option – because it offered small class sizes, along with academic rigor.
Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month with MENASA!
April is Arab American Heritage Month. At USC, this month and the associated events are spearheaded by the The Middle Eastern North African Student Assembly (MENASA). MENASA has planned seven events including an opening ceremony, art exhibit, lamp mosaic workshop, community dinner, henna night, Ma’amoul making night, and an advocacy event. I had the privilege of speaking with USC MENASA and USG’s Advocacy Liaison, Yasmeen ElFarra, who shared more about MENASA’s experience attending, developing, and planning the events during the month.
Best 2 Unit Classes for Fall 2024
This might be a controversial opinion, but course registration is my favorite time of year. There are so many possibilities for your schedule and it’s fun to complete the puzzle of all your classes to craft ‘the perfect schedule.’ 2-unit classes are a great way to add in an elective or raise your GPA. If you have space in your schedule and are looking for a 2-unit class to fill it, these are the 2-unit courses I recommend for Fall 2024.
I Ran a 5K! Why I Did It and Exploring PHED Classes
I am exceptionally bad at all of my hobbies. As someone who leans towards perfectionism, this has always frustrated me. Activities that were supposed to be fun quickly turned sour when I stagnated in my progress — how could I have fun when I wasn’t improving my skills in a productive way?
Navigating Your First Year as a Trojan: A Quick Guide for Your Freshman Fall + Tips from a Graduating Senior
Congratulations to our newest Trojans on joining the family. I know you’re eager to get to campus, choose your dorms, and make shopping lists for the big move. Or maybe you’re just arriving in the Fall unsure of how to meet people or how to get to your classes; which dining hall has the best breakfast?
My Experience Joining a Dance Team at USC: Breakon2
The night of my audition for the dance team Breakon2 was a Thursday. I decided to tag along with my roommate because I had nothing better to do, making a very spur of the moment decision to even try out. We learned the basic salsa steps and a short combo before filming two pieces with members of the team. When I was filming my second clip, dancing with a member of the team, he reminded me to “just have fun,” and that’s when everything clicked. The dance team recognized an energy in me that I’m only now recognizing in myself after spending so much time with my teammates. Even though I was nervous about committing to the team, once I joined, I felt like my talents and personality were truly desired for the first time in a while at USC.
How I Studied Abroad at a University That Wasn’t Pre-Approved for my Major
A year ago today, I was studying abroad at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, gallivanting across different countries in Europe on the weekends and spending time with the incredible friends I made through the program on the weekdays. It was an incredible experience to say the least, and I have an immense nostalgia and longing to go back in time and relive those adventures all over again. While the experience itself was magical, getting approved to go to Edinburgh was a complicated process.
Motion Picture Editing CTCS 335: Class Review
CTCS 335-Motion Picture Editing is the first class I took for my upper division Cinematic Arts minor credits, and it did not disappoint. While I had no particular interest in editing before the class, I left it with a deep knowledge of Avid Media Composer, the production process for films, and truly gained an appreciation for the number of people involved in bringing a film to life. This was a very fulfilling course that showed me a different perspective on the film industry.
The Power of the Reset
If you wake up scatterbrained and anxious about the day ahead, a daily “reset” ritual can really help you organize and center yourself. As a person who lives alone, sometimes holding myself accountable can be really hard. I try to keep my apartment clean and organized, but every now and then, I slip up and suddenly clothes are scattered everywhere, my sink is full of dishes, and I have an enormous pile of laundry waiting for me. Creating a daily reset routine has helped me feel less overwhelmed and keeps me organized both mentally and physically.
Introducing 3/5 Comedy — And Why We Need It
If you’re looking for a good laugh, USC’s got you covered. Our institution’s ever-expanding comedy scene is one of the standout parts of the university, which hosts a plethora of sketch comedy, improv, and stand-up groups. Among these is the brand-new 3/5 Comedy, founded by Black students as an effort to uplift and promote underrepresented voices in comedy circles.
From Stress to Success: Your Ultimate Guide to Midterm Excellence
The midterms season is already upon us, and this might be frightening, but there are ways to proactively approach studying for these exams. If you find yourself in the same predicament or simply want to create better study habits, consider these suggestions to get started on a successful midterms season.