By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

USC is known for its football games. Whether because of the team itself, the award-winning band who miraculously stands the entire time or Traveler who gallops around the field after our team scores, there’s a reason #FIGHTON trends on Twitter after a good game. Many people consider the games to be a huge part of not only the USC Experience but the LA one. From alumni to community residents, it is not unusual to see people bring their family or friends from other schools; but for some — whether because everyone they know hates football or are simply busy — they don’t have anyone to go with. Going alone to any event does not always seem like the most enticing experience, but hey, sometimes you don’t wanna miss out! Why should you let a lack of company dissuade you from doing just that? With an event that is so stereotypically linked to the people you go with it, I wondered what it would be like go alone. So, I grabbed my see-through fanny pack and the two sealed water bottles allowed by the coliseum, and I did just that!

By: Antonia Le ‘22

I might be an outlier when I say this, but there is nothing that I hate more than club recruitment season. It’s hard enough handling classes and homework, but trying to fill out a million applications and schedule a dozen interviews? Forget it. They say it’s supposed to get easier over time, but if it does, I haven’t hit that point yet. I won’t lie. There are times where I’ve applied to a club/program just to apply to something and then regretted it. However, there are also clubs and programs that I will be thankful for every day, and CIRCLE is one of them. If you identify as an Asian or Pacific Islander, I suggest you read on and learn all about the amazing CIRCLE program.

By: Camila Grases ‘21

In the summer of 2017, someone on the third floor of The Ahmanson Center (ACB) pulled a chemical wash shower and left the building. As the building began to flood, many began to realize that USC’s priceless collection of artifacts contained in the Archeology Lab on the third floor of ACB was in danger. These artifacts, mostly ceramics, are highly sensitive to even the slightest change in humidity, let alone the gallons of water pouring out of the shower. This flood was threatening thousands of years of priceless objects. An emergency evacuation took place and the collection was moved to an external storage site for nearly two years. Finally, in March of 2019, the collection was returned home.

By: Alexis M Peters ‘20

Okay, I’ve done some pretty wild food challenges in the past (check out my adventure of eating raw vegan in the USC dining halls for a week, here!) but this time, it wasn’t voluntary. I’m gonna let you guys in on a secret: Adulting is hard. This is my first year living off campus in non-USC housing, and my roommates and I completely forgot that paying for our own gas is… a thing? For those of you who have had the wonderful fortune of living in university housing, where they take care of that stuff for you, let me explain. Your landlord does not pay for your gas! (Well, sometimes they do, but check your lease agreement to be sure!) And guess what? Stoves and ovens run on gas! So… for an entire week, while my roommates and I waited for the gas company to come and flip a switch to get our stove up and running, I had to make do with the few appliances we had: a rice cooker, an electric kettle, and my one true savior: a toaster oven.

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

The first time I saw Joy Ofodu was the spring before I had even started my year at USC. It was during an organized student breakfast on Admitted Student Day and I, staying true to my oh-so-social nature, settled quietly in the back of the ballroom with my cold eggs and pastries. I didn’t know what kind of presentation to expect at a breakfast; no clue whether I’d actually pay attention or just keep moving around the cold eggs on my plate, but at some point during the program, Joy Ofodu approached the podium. She gave a speech, and for someone who had already been to about a billion other repetitive prospective student gatherings smushed into the month of April before Decision Day, it was refreshingly entertaining. Honestly, even the 10-second clip of it on her Instagram is worth checking out. But what I truly saw then — and what I’d like to share now — was someone who is passionate, driven, and genuinely inspiring in pursuit of their goals.

By: Sophia Pei ‘22

Welcome to your new home! Whether you’re coming from within LA or from overseas, moving into college dorms is a big adjustment. You (or your parents) have spent the summer going over the necessities of bedding, towels, and toiletries. Want to know what else you should bring and what you should clear from your luggage?

Here are a few posts written specifically for spring admits and transfers by spring admits and transfers:

Incoming Trojans! We have collected a few of our favorite posts below, covering some of the most common freshman questions about classes, schedules and campus involvement!

…(and Things Only a Trojan Gets)…

We’re pretty sure you already love USC. That’s why you’re coming here! But just in case you need a refresher on that Fight On spirit, read on!

Reflections and Advice from Former USC Freshmen Who Have Gone Before You…

If you’re an incoming fall freshman, Trojans 360 has compiled our best tips and hacks from the past few years just for you! Curious about selecting a dorm, what the dining halls are like, or what to bring for Move-In Day? Read On!

By: Sarah Ko ‘22

Ever wonder what it’s like to be a typical freshman at USC? Watch this video to find out!