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
looking for something to read?
Is College Worth It?
By: Jamie Wu ‘18
It seems like everyone is going to college. But is it worth it for you? Especially now when it’s costing hundreds of thousands of dollars? Watch this video to find out!
Things I Wish I Knew Before Transferring to USC
By: Alexis Peters ‘20
Transferring schools is a big deal when you’re in college. Starting all over again, changing states, losing friends, learning your way around a whole new campus: it can be pretty stressful. USC actually has a quite large transfer student population. So for all the transfers out there: remember you are not alone. I transferred from one four year university to another, so the structure of my college experience wasn’t too different, but the culture was something to get used to. Being a spring transfer student made it difficult to adjust to LA life, from finding my way around the city, making new friends, and joining clubs. And although I have definitely gotten into the swing of things now, looking back on my first semester at SC, I realize there are some things I wish I had known before transferring. So, here it is: 5 things I wish I knew before transferring to USC.
Great Mentors and Where to Find Them
By: Maddie Walsh ‘20
Surrounding yourself with older and wiser mentors as an undergraduate student can lead to important opportunities and connections, but it can be hard to know where to start. Here’s a list of suggestions inspired by people who have helped shape my own USC experience in the last 2 years.
Making Friends as a Transfer Student
By: Alexis M Peters ‘20
You may think that this process is no different than making friends as a freshman, but you would be wrong. Any transfer student knows that making new friends at your new university is not always an easy feat. Maybe as an incoming freshman at your previous college, there was a welcoming committee ready and willing to help you move into your dorm in a flash. There was a long welcome week full of events and activities specialized for you to mingle, make friends and assimilate into college life. There are mixers and events to get you integrated into your dorm community. And sure, they’ve got welcome week at USC, but as a transfer student, it’s just not the same. You’re older than a freshman, and should therefore be able to figure out USC life yourself, right? But coming from another college can be challenging in many ways, and one of those is making friends. As a transfer student myself, I understand how difficult it is to start over from scratch at a whole new university. It might be tough, but it’s not impossible. Fear not! Here, I offer tips to making friends as a transfer student easy as pie.
Truths From a Sober Trojan (FAQ)
By: Joy Ofodu ‘18
I have delayed writing this for at least two years for fear of doing it wrong; I don’t want my relayed sobriety experience to be pedantic or preachy, or stuffy, or polished or dishonest. Having survived another 4/20 in Los Angeles, it seems High Time to publicly answer questions that have plagued and amused me since I made the decision that I’d go through college without a drop of alcohol (or any other substance, for that matter).
Everything You Should Know About Being a Spring Admit
By: Anna Lipscomb ‘19
If you were admitted into USC for the spring semester, you may be wondering what this means. I can relate - me and many other students at USC have been in your place. Here’s everything you should know about being a spring admit, and the reasons why I would make the same decision again.
Gym Intimidation at Lyon: You’re Not Alone
By: Terry Nguyen ‘20
USC’s gym can be a frightening place to those unfamiliar with the humid aroma of Lyon Center’s testosterone-filled, intimidatingly sweaty crowd. No matter what time of day it is or whatever the weather conditions are, Lyon is sure to be inhabited by at least several weight-lifting fitness junkies and cardio enthusiasts, both of whom make up a sizable portion of the USC student body.
Spring Admits: Next Stop, USC
By: Anna Lipscomb ‘19
Hello Spring Admits! I can’t believe you will be here in a few weeks. Right now, you’re probably excited and nervous, so here’s everything you should know about move in, Welcome Week, academics, clubs, food, and more!
A Guide to Life at USC as an LGBT+ Student
By: Adriana Bernal Martinez ‘20
When coming to college, we’re eager to find our people. People we share interests with, and most importantly, people that will accept us. Although USC takes pride (pun intended) in calling itself one of the most LGBT-friendly campuses in the nation, it’s not merely because of the student body’s progressive mindset. It’s because of its bountiful resources for LGBT+ students. USC’s LGBT Resource Center is open to the public every weekday, ready for you to come visit whenever. Located in the second floor of the Student Union Building with plenty of resourceful assets for USC students to take advantage of, here is just a little bit of what the LGBT Resource Center has to offer.
How to Find the Right Club at USC for you
By: Kelly Kinas ‘16
So there you are. Watching the same show on Netflix for the twenty-third time. You want to do something but you don’t really know what so you just watch Netflix because you think there’s nothing else for you to do. Well, you’re just so lucky you ran into this blog post as you were scrolling through your Facebook feed because I am here to help. USC has some many opportunities to take advantage of but the real problem is trying to find out what they are and finding them, which is why you have us! A great way to fill up your free time, get involved on campus, help the community around USC, and get leadership experience is through clubs and on-campus organizations. I know. It sounds too good to be true but it isn’t!! Here are some tips for finding what club you belong with here at USC.
Ask A Trojan: Freshman Move-In (Tips, Tricks & Packing Lists)
By: Anna Lipscomb ‘19
Hello there! First of all, great question! Although I am not an international student, I will try my best to answer your question! Freshman move-in day. I still remember the emotional mixture of excitement and nervousness as I started a new stage in my life.