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? 

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?

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.

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.

The conversation surrounding dating in college is muddled with conflicting opinions, with some strictly opposed to the idea and others fiercely for it. Whether to date in college can be a hard choice for many due to the unpredictable nature of school life. With the constant deadlines, club responsibilities, recruiting, and general adulting, a relationship often doesn’t fit into the college student lifestyle. Romantic relationships in college can also be daunting. The idea of seriously pursuing a partnership with someone can be scary as a young person. It can be difficult to forge your own identity and life plan while also hoping you’ve found your “forever person”.

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.

What do Tessa Thompson, America Ferrera, Matthew Lillard, Will Ferrell, and Jason Bateman have in common? They’ve all been visiting artists at Spotlight@SDA. Spotlight@SDA is a hidden gem that all USC students should take advantage of, whether you are studying theatre, screenwriting, communications, business, or anything else.

When I started at USC, I hadn’t toured the campus or even stepped foot in the area before I accepted my admissions offer. I was about as clueless as I could be. I’m not from California, and certainly not from Southern California, so it was definitely an adjustment in every possible way. I distinctly remember buying chapstick during my first semester and my jaw actually dropping at the price. Here’s what I wish I could’ve learned from my online research about USC and student experiences before I got here.

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.

When volunteering you have the opportunity to empower and improve communities, meet new people, discover new causes and passions, and much more. In a city as big as Los Angeles, there’s always events where you can lend a hand, and there are tons of organizations to work with on a regular basis. However, with all of these options, it can be overwhelming to start a volunteer search, especially with a busy student schedule.  My suggestion is to start finding opportunities right here on-campus. 

“We meet every Sunday to create whatever it is that makes us feel alive.”

One rainy Sunday, I stumbled across a new Instagram page called Sundays@USC. A few USC students were featured, including someone building an AI gardening tool, a student creating a card game, and someone researching quantum computing. I quickly fell in love with the idea of Sundays@USC: a place for anyone to work on passions that excite them.

Are you ready for Valentine's Day? Excited to dive into a sea of romance, or perhaps you're approaching it with a different mindset altogether? Whether you're basking in the company of a significant other, treasured friends, or prioritizing self-care, seize the opportunity to savor each moment and sprinkle love wherever you tread. Regardless of your plans, Valentine's Day at USC offers a diverse array of activities and opportunities to celebrate love in all its forms. In this blog, we'll explore the V-day atmosphere on campus, delve into some of the dating topics and trends emerging in the Trojan dating landscapes and highlight some exciting Valentine's Day events and activities happening at USC.