By: Lindsey Hamilton ‘22

The prospect of moving to an entirely new place and rebuilding your social circle from scratch is a pretty scary one, especially if social situations tend to stress you out. With that said, making new friends and putting yourself out there is one of the most rewarding experiences that college has to offer. Check out these tips for overcoming overthinking and making freshman year one to remember!

By: Lindsey Hamilton ‘22

“I would write a real memoir, but I’m too busy documenting my life on Snapchat,” and other symptoms of phone addition (w/ helpful tips on how to STOP). Nomophobia. While it’s not quite a real word yet, it describes a very real and very scary trend: the fear of being without a mobile device.vAnd chances are, you have it. Good news? You’re not alone. Bad news? Yes, it really is that common.

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22 and Ann Nguyen ‘22

If you are a new student coming to USC in the fall, there are a couple of things you’ll need to know. From campus life, health, clubs, and more, some amazing writers here at Trojans360 have already written tons of posts to help make your first year a success. Want a glimpse? Look below!

By: Antonia Le ‘22

Trigger warnings for mentions of anxiety, depression, and suicide.

I’m still trying to process the fact that my freshman year at USC is almost over. I’m heading into my second round of finals, and the first final I have coming up is for my 400-level math class. Right now, I’m really hoping that this past year has been a dream, and tomorrow I’ll wake up as a high school senior who doesn’t have to take a Theory of Numbers final.

By: Natalie Oganesyan ‘22

After having the privilege of a full meal plan with unlimited swipes each semester, I can say without a doubt that the dining halls were vital to my survival as a college student. EVK, especially, has a special place in my heart for nighttime munchies and all my ill-timed snack and coffee breaks. However, there’s no denying that some things need to be updated or improved.

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

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: 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.

By: Lindsey Hamilton ‘22

Let me begin by addressing a few misconceptions. Yoga, as a practice, is neither about form-fitting Lululemon pants, nor turning yourself into a human pretzel. You don’t need a Hydroflask or even much flexibility. Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years by people of all skill levels and backgrounds with universal results: drastically increased mental and physical benefits. Kundalini yoga in particular focuses on maximizing mental health benefits through special yoga practice combined with mantras, a kind of chant and music intended to help direct and focus the mind. For a taste of these mantras, be sure to check out the Grammy Award-winning band White Sun, a group famous for their musical interpretation of yogic mantras. The FREE concert will be held on Monday, April 22nd at 6PM in Founders Park on campus. For a better idea of what this type of yoga is all about, keep on reading!

By: Natalie Oganesyan ‘22

For self-care purposes, obviously. I don’t know about you, but for me, Netflix is on par with therapy (okay, maybe that’s an overstatement). However, I can recall turning to Netflix for help any time I was upset, overwhelmed, angry, or felt any other negative emotion. Not only do I believe that taking your mind off of things by watching TV is stress-relieving, but I also believe media, movies, and shows can enrich your mind. Especially nowadays, more and more movies offer political and social commentary on important topics and present themes which were previously left untouched. So, without further ado, in the name of self-care and college student survival tips, I present to you my comprehensive list of the most binge-worthy shows and movies to watch on Netflix.

By: Lindsey Hamilton ‘22

You read that right…nature in LA! Who knew? I wasn’t being sarcastic either — half of the fun of the nature that exists in this metropolis is finding it. Because, well, it’s LA. In a city with stars seemingly everywhere but in the sky, green space is one of the last things I think of. Lucky for you all, I’ve done the intrepid (internet) exploring for you. For those brave enough to venture where the paths are dirt and there’s a little more wildlife than rats and roaches, here are the best places in the LA area to catch a breath of fresh air.