We have all complained about the GE system at USC. Whether it’s having to read tons of books as a STEM student or remembering how to do math as a musician, GEs often put us in uncomfortable spots, take up a lot of time, and feel entirely unrelated to both our current work and our future careers. There’s no denying that there are many flaws in USC’s general education system from just how many of these credits you have to take and the money you pour into them, the lack of options with pages worth of WebReg dedicated to classes only open to certain majors, and the amount of work and expertise that can be expected in a field you have no background with.

In my first year at USC, like many freshmen, I scrolled through the endless list of student orgs and clubs on campus and attended the involvement fair, but I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of clubs to choose from and the lack of substantial information about what each club entails. I ultimately found nothing I was interested in joining. It turns out that the best way to gain insight on clubs is to talk to people who’ve attended the meetings and paid the dues.

Imagine holding a magnifying glass to a beautiful painting, revealing its vibrant colors, hidden stories, and tiny brushstrokes. That’s the role of a tour guide. But instead of a painting, the focus is the beautiful USC campus. Tour guides don’t just show locations, they ensure that every prospective student and their family experiences the passion of USC through storytelling and connection. Here are 5 reasons why you should consider becoming a Student Ambassador (Tour Guide) at USC.

I’ve always wanted to live alone. Don’t get me wrong, housemates and the experience of living with friends is a crucial part of the college experience. From living in a small, shared room in a college dorm to a big party house, I’ve lived just about every way a college student can. I loved every bit of it too. However, I am a person who loves her own space and the freedom of living on her own schedule. Because of that, I decided to live alone in a studio apartment for my senior year.

The focus on streetwear began just thirty years ago in New York City and Los Angeles. Given USC’s prime location just blocks from downtown LA, it may seem obvious that the campus is full of people sporting unique styles or staying right on trend. With summer wrapping up and fall right around the corner, seasonal fashion pieces are starting to switch up. Here are some of the most popular fashion trends on the USC campus right now.

Heading into my senior year of college, I’ve finally learned the embrace that college is hard. Whether it’s a tough class or just homesickness and general overwhelm, there’s always a new challenge to work through. I guess that’s what growing up is all about. But, over time, I’ve learned one of the best ways to treat those low moments is finding small ways to make your life a little better every day.

The beginning of semester means explaining your major a bajillion times, regretting scheduling morning and night lectures, and, of course, finding time to sneak in a quick bites of your protein bar between deadlines and events. If you find yourself skipping meals, living off of vending machine trail mix, or rationing your overpriced L.A. takeout, here’s a guide to the best cheap eats in and around USC.

A new semester means new ways to get involved with one (or many) of USC’s numerous student organizations. A walk down Trousdale during the semesterly Involvement Fair highlights how there is no shortage of opportunities. While there are many social clubs––clubs that don’t require an application to be accepted––there are an equal number of pre-professional and application based clubs.

While my freshman year took place entirely online, I know what it’s like to start a new school with no friends. It can be daunting to walk up to people and start a conversation without knowing how they’ll respond.

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:

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).

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.