By: Sophia Pei ‘22

From Forrest Gump to Grand Theft Auto, you’ve likely seen the Santa Monica pier. This iconic tourist destination features a historic merry-go-round, an arcade, live music, good food, and countless rides in Pacific Park. Want to show visiting friends around LA or simply play tourist yourself? This is the perfect place to be a tourist and enjoy the California coast. Here are some pro tips and information from a Santa Monica local so you can fully enjoy your visit to the pier!

By: Karla Leung ‘22

Dulce Founder James Choi graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Accounting ‘05, then went on to work at Ernst and Young. Whenever he had the time, Choi would help out his mother at her Swiss Chocolate shop in Palo Alto, but pursued accounting at Ernst and Young to financially provide for himself and his mother. However, when his mother started battling ovarian cancer, she wanted to follow her dream of starting a bakery in Little Tokyo. Neither Choi nor his mother knew how to run a bakery, but Choi agreed when his mother got a business partner on board. When his mother’s bakery business partner dropped out, Choi decided to put in his 2-week notice at Ernst and Young to open their first Cafe Dulce in Little Tokyo in 2011. A few years later, they opened another at the USC Village in 2017.

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

Simply put, saying “no” is not always easy. When being invited to things we can find ourselves constantly saying “yes” not because we actually want to go, but because we feel obligated or simply don’t think about saying how we really feel. It is important to value your time and know that you do not have to go to every single thing you are asked to be at. If you mindlessly agree to go to every event, party, or hang-out that comes your way you’ll find yourself feeling drained, lost, and scrunched for time. On the other hand, if you stubbornly resist to go out or do anything at all, spending all your time holed in one spot, you’ll miss out on so many great opportunities to meet new people and expand your horizons. What it really boils down to is: when should you say “yes" and when should you say “no”?

By: Alexis M Peters ‘20

As told by a USC transfer student:

By: Antonia Le ‘22

When many people think of conspiracy theories and conspiracy theorists, it’s likely that they think of some forty-year-old guy, still living on his parents’ basement, posting about how lizards are controlling the world on websites such as 4chan or Reddit. However, this image can be as far from reality as the lizard people conspiracy theory is. In fact, at USC, the faces behind the conspiracy theories are people just like you and me. Meet The Rabbit Hole Club. Started this semester, this club meets every Wednesday in VKC 259 in order to debate conspiracy theories, have a good time, and figure out how to do some good in the world.

By: Ann Nguyen ‘22

So, you didn’t get that summer internship you were hoping for… that’s okay! There are plenty of other things you can do to make your break worthwhile. Whether you’re a freshman, like me, who thinks the sky will fall if you don’t find some last-minute summer dream job or a rising senior looking for one last great resume-building experience before you graduate and step into the real world, don’t fret because I have plenty of options for you.

By: Alexandria Frank ‘21

I am a Psychology major with minors in Journalism and Classical Civilization and an interest in Screenwriting. That is, to say, I don’t really know what I want to be when I grow up. I just have a lot of interests and no specific drive or pull to any specific one. And I know that can be common to a lot of undergraduate students. Therefore, when it comes to looking at internships, which are supposed to help you gain experience for your future career, it can be challenging to figure out where to apply and how to narrow your search. And let’s face it, sometimes you can’t afford to just not work during the summer until you figure your life out. Luckily, I’ve gotten a little experience in this realm during my last two years and would love to share some tips about applying to internships when you don’t know what you want to do with your life.

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

Applying for jobs, going to interviews, and especially writing resumes are almost always stressful, but what can make it even more so is the feeling that you have nothing to talk about or show for your work. Maybe you have not gotten a job yet? Maybe the ones you have gotten do not relate to the one you are applying for? If you find yourself feeling like you have absolutely nothing to put on your resume, maybe this post will give you a few ideas!

By: Alexis M Peters ‘20

One thing that I think is important for everyone to learn is how to enjoy your own company. I don’t mean that you have to break up with your significant other or cut ties with your best friends, but it’s good to spend time with just yourself. They say that friendship isn’t necessary for survival, but it’s what makes surviving worth it. And I agree. Friendship and companionship is wonderful and valuable. But if you can’t enjoy your own company, how can you expect anyone else to do the same?

By: Ann Nguyen ‘22

It’s about that time in the semester when most midterms — yes, even the “Exam 2′s” that occurred after mid-semester and therefore technically aren’t midterms anymore — have passed, the essays worth 40% of your grade have been turned in, and there’s the smallest window of opportunity for a break. If you’re looking to leave the hustle and bustle of our busy city, then maybe the mountains are where you should go. Whether you enjoy hiking or just breathing in crisp, fresh air, an escape into nature is the perfect way to relax, collect yourself, and get ready for the final stretch toward finals.

By: Karla Leung ‘22

If you watch enough television and see enough movies, it’s likely that you’ve seen a scene filmed on USC’s campus without even knowing it. Here are a few of the most notable films and TV series filmed on campus!

By: Natalie Oganesyan ‘22

Now that freshman year is winding down to an end, I want to take a minute to reflect. The transition from high school to college is unique — it’s a time of intense change, exploration, discovery, and growth. If you had an experience that was anything like mine, it may have resembled Kylie’s 2016 resolutions.