By: Ellice Ellis ‘20

‘Woke’ is such a buzzword these days. I see people arguing on Twitter whether their favorite celebrity is ‘woke’ and hear my friends telling each other to ‘stay woke.’ It’s also a popular slogan thrown on clothes, accessories, and across protest posters. Many people may understand the concept of being ‘woke’ as a person aligning themselves with the ideal of liberals and ‘the left’ side of the political spectrum. I’m going to take a different stance and disagree.

By: Ellice Ellis ‘20

Los Angeles is known for film. Hopeful actresses and actors flock to the city in hopes of making it big and seeing their name in bright lights. Not only is it home to historic sets and studios- it also lays claim to one of the most highly ranked and prestigious film schools in the world, USC School of Cinematic Arts (SCA). Here at USC not only do we have an amazing film school but classes and programs at the school which are open to more than just SCA students. If you’re a journalism major like myself who watches movies to stay sane or a fan of the Spike Lees, Tarintinos, and Kubricks of the world; you can live out your wildest dreams at SCA.

By: Lilly Kate Diaz ‘20

Hi, all! It’s been a while, and I’ve missed talking to you all! It’s midterms week (about to end, actually)! I want you all to remember that it is important to take care of your mental/physical health. I understand that it can be hard sometimes, especially with having to balance studying, classes, and whatnot, but please remember to check in with yourself! In fact, I’ve been taking time to myself as well. Below is a list of apps that can help relieve anxiety and stress. I’ve been using these apps for a while and most of them have been helpful! I recommend trying them out. I’ve included the links so that you all can check them out.

By: Ellice Ellis ‘18

Amber Rose rose to fame as Kanye West’s girlfriend in 2008, but just shy of 10 years later, she is now known for her efforts in the world of feminism. This past weekend in Los Angeles, men, and women who identify as feminists came together for Rose’s inaugural OPENed Women’s Conference and the Amber Rose SlutWalk. The weekend kicked off with Saturday’s OPENed conference, hosted by the Amber Rose Foundation and the USC Dornsife Center for Feminist Research in Ronald Tutor Campus Center.

By: Ellice Ellis ‘20

Lauren Jones will be the first to tell you she doesn’t have it all figured out. Founder and face of LoJo Media started her career right here at USC as a journalism student. LoJo Media is a Los Angeles based media company providing sports fans with a behind-the-scenes perspective on their favorite athletes and trending sports stories. Her biggest client is the Nike sponsored ‘Drew League. “ known for attracting LA streetball legends, collegiate athletes, and several NBA stars. Her company’s goal is to shed light on the positive impact athletes have had historically and continue to have on our society. Jones, only 24 has had many successes in her post-graduate life; including landing her dream job at ESPN and starting her own company. In my interview with her, she offered some advice for college students, specifically those with an entrepreneurial mindset.

By: Ellice Ellis ‘20

There is no surprise that college is stressful. Between balancing work, friendships, internships and your financial life, these formative years teach us a lot about ourselves and the way we handle stress. In the event that something tragic happens, it can be hard to cope and balance it with the already strenuous college experience. In April as I was preparing for finals, my father passed suddenly. My world was flipped upside down. I talked to my dad twice everyday about anything from my lectures in my law class to Colin Kaepernick to drama with my friends. Suddenly not having him there to talk to for advice threw off daily life. No day felt complete. I was depressed - unable to focus and constantly feeling empty. Loss and subsequent grief can come in many forms. Whether it is being rejected from your dream internship (it’s happened to me), experiencing a heart-wrenching breakup, or losing a loved one, there are healthy and effective ways deal with the pain.

By: Ellice Ellis ‘20

Do you live to eat? Are you not yourself when you’re hungry? Or, maybe you’re just a college student who just moved off campus. Either way you look at it, you are going to have to go grocery shopping to cure your ‘hanger’. Eating out, ordering UberEats, or bumming food off of your friends all the time can become expensive and pretty annoying.

By: Lilly Kate Diaz ‘20

Hi, all! I hope classes are going well. And I hope you’re taking self care procedures to make sure your well-being is at its greatest. I figured that since I started my sophomore year at SC, I’d let the freshmen know what I learned as a freshman last year (hence the title). So, let’s get into it!

By: Ellice Ellis ‘20

It’s said college is the best time of your life. When else can you party on Thursday, have 24-hour access to a library and, if you have a meal plan, eat unlimited food with one swipe of a card? Despite the luxuries and freedoms of being a full-time college student, there is nothing quite like being ‘college broke.’

By: Lilly Kate Diaz ‘20

As the school year is rollin’ by, some of you might already be in need of some stress relief (like moi). And fortunately for USC students, we have some special companions that’ll be just the right being to help us. And yes – I’m talking about therapy dogs (or puppies, as I like to call all dogs).

By: Joy Ofodu ‘18

We all want to get out of here with our limbs intact. That was an odd way to start, but you know what I mean. Leaving Troy can be intense and stressful, but these hacks may help you manage the madness:

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).