By: Ann Nguyen ‘22

Whether you’re having an Oscars Watch Party and want to impress your friends in SCA or you just want to be informed, here are my recommended picks and everything you need to know in making your own 2019 Oscars predictions! I have been keeping up with the current Oscars race for almost an entire year — basically since last year’s Oscars. Having always been a huge cinephile, I know everything about how the process works, what constitutes an Oscar-worthy display, and what indicators are most reliable in predicting the Academy Awards. So without further ado, let’s get this show started.

By: Awo Jama ‘22

Earlier in the semester, I had the chance to explore both Little Tokyo and Downtown LA’s Arts District with the USC Photo Club on one of their off-campus excursions. After taking the Metro to Little Tokyo as a group, we were each given a map listing several notable sights in the area, and had free reign to explore what peaked our interest the most. Instead of taking stills of the vibrant murals and bustling shops I passed, I opted to film a short vlog which would document my trip:

By: Awo Jama ‘22

As a first year college student living away from home for the first time, learning how to manage my money has proven to be one of the most difficult adjustments I’ve had to undergo. In order to have more funds available to me for Ubering, getting coffee, doing my laundry (yes, USC makes you pay for your laundry), stocking up on snacks, replenishing my toiletries, and going out with friends, I’ve had to greatly reduce the amount of money I spend on clothes. As a fashion enthusiast, this trade-off hasn’t been easy, and has led to a few impulsive H&M orders. However, after exploring some local second hand clothing stores and gradually incorporating the clothes I’ve found into my wardrobe, I’ve realized that you don’t have to compromise style for affordability when shopping for clothes. Below I’ve listed the best second hand shops I’ve been to near campus, so if you’re on a budget but needing to revamp your wardrobe, keep reading!

By: Sophia Pei ‘22

Courtesy of Late Night SC and ResEd, I was finally able to attend LA’s Haunted Hayride at Griffith Park. Here’s an honest review of the Hayride and Purgatory (the theme park).

By: Camila Grases ‘21

I commute to USC. It’s about a 45 minute to an hour drive to and from my house. “Aw thats so sad, you aren’t getting the FULL college experience.” Oh hush hush now. It’s not sad. I wake up every morning in my own bed, my mom makes me breakfast in morning, and when I get home late, there is almost always food waiting for me (or for my brothers, but who am I to complain?). It’s really not so bad. There are definitely days where I wish I could live here, and have roommates and be able to stay late without having the fact that I have to drive home be in the back of my mind always. But I think having the constant support from my family has helped with my mental stability so much. Of course, there are commuters that don’t still live with their parents and whose experience is so different from mine. And there are students that don’t feel the same way about their parents. I’m just here to share a little bit of wisdom I learned from commuting for a full year now.

By: Cameryn Baker ‘22

College road trips have always been something that I thought you did as an upperclassman in college; once you’ve found your tight-knit group of friends and feel like you’re ready to take on this rite of passage. I definitely was not expecting to throw pillows, sleeping bags, and USC gear into my car and embark on my first road trip only three weeks into school.

By: Camila Grases ‘21

Listen, there are two kinds of people in this world: (1) The “I’ve been on thousands of night hikes, I basically have night vision, and darkness is my friend” person or (2) The “I enjoy the night from the comfort of my own home, nature is definitely nice but maybe not when I’m outside, because there may be ghosts here” person. Honestly, I’m the second. I am afraid of the dark (just scared of a lot of things really), so when my team brought up the idea of a night hike, I was a bit hesitant. The more I thought about it, though, the more excited I got. Sometimes, it’s the things we are most afraid of that give us the most pleasure. Compared to other thrill-seeking events, hiking is a relatively mundane activity. If you really think about it, it’s just glorified walking. So, we add a little spice. Go at night, in the hills of LA, to watch a city that is more beautiful in the dark than it is in the light. Trust me, it’s worth it.

By: Sophia Pei ‘22

It may be autumn but it won’t be cooling down (much). Here are some of my favorite ice cream stores in LA that are easily accessible by public transport from USC. This list is not for the weak of heart, all of these stores are known for their unique (and unconventional) flavors so explore with an open mind!

By: Danielle Collins ‘20

Do you love dogs? (The only correct answer is yes). Hundreds of dog lovers came together for Corgi Beach Day this past Saturday! I attended this magical event and wanted to keep sharing the corgi love. Read on to learn more about the event and see some ADORABLE corgi photos!

By: Alexis M Peters ‘20

So, home is too far away to justify buying a plane ticket back for only a week (or you just really don’t want to spend your break hanging out with your little brother), or your friends are all going on fun trips out of town that for whatever reason didn’t work out for you. You’re spending spring break in LA, and you have no idea what to do with your time that doesn’t include banging your head against the wall from absolute boredom. Trust me, I get it. But there are loads of fun things you can do if you’re staying in town during spring break. As USC students, we’re a little desensitized to the glamour and glory of Los Angeles. City of Angels? Yeah, yeah. Been there, studied there. But remember, LA is actually a spring break destination for other students across the country. So, if you’re thinking there’s nothing to do: think again…

By: Alexis M Peters ‘20

Okay, I know what you’re thinking, and the answer is no. I didn’t stay out too late, and I wasn’t being an irresponsible college student. I was living it up on the dance floor at 7 AM on a Wednesday for the good of my health. The fact of the matter is: I hate exercise. I hate going to the gym. I hate running. I hate movement just for the sake of movement. You will never find me doing squats at the gym. You will never find me on an elliptical or a treadmill. And if you do, check up on me to make sure I’m alright.

By: Danielle Collins ‘20

I love movies, and I love seeing movies at the theater. But in LA, too many movies nights can break the bank. Coming from my hometown where movie tickets are $7, going to the theater in LA was a shock. So I’ve done my best to figure out how to keep seeing movies without draining my bank account. My two biggest recommendations are buying tickets from the USC Ticket Office, or investing in MoviePass if you’re a serious moviegoer. Keep reading to learn about those options and a couple of other suggestions!