By: Ann Nguyen ‘22

By now, you’re sure to have seen tents lined up throughout campus certain Saturday mornings and the occasional Friday afternoon. People are all dressed up in cardinal and gold as kids (and college students, alike) run around tossing footballs back and forth. The smell of delicious grilled food permeates the air, and you’re left wondering, “How can I get some of that?” Well, hopefully, I can alleviate your worries, clear up any confusion, and coach you to become a tailgating pro just in time for Trojan Family Weekend.

By: Camila Grases ‘21

Spooky season is officially here and whether you like it or not, it’s that time of the year where part of the fun is being scared. Worry not, whether you are looking for some relaxed fun with your friends or are genuinely looking to contact the spirits of the underworld, this list has everything for you.

By: Lindsey Hamilton ‘22

Concerts and LA seem to be pretty much synonymous. And, until recently, going to concerts and being broke seemed synonymous as well. But there’s a lot more happening in LA than the big names that’ll leave you with a small wallet. So I made this list: all of the concerts happening in November that I could find that are both easily accessible by metro and—the best part—all under $30. To my surprise, I found names both big and small: Alessia Cara, Julia Michaels…not bad for $30. Whether you feel adventurous and want a fairly low-risk way to check out some new music or spot a name you’ve been following, go out there and get yourself a piece of that LA music pie.

By: Camila Grases ‘21

One of the biggest struggles for college students is finding affordable housing near campus, especially if you live in a city like Los Angeles. The area around USC has turned into a place where companies can invest and charge thousands of dollars in rent to college students who are already struggling to get by. In a community like this, it’s wonderful to have found the GAK house, where rent is $375 a month and whose mission statement is “financial and personal support, diversity of culture and ideas, opportunities for leadership, access to our alumni network and all that is best in the Trojan spirit.”

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

Being perfectly honest, I was never one of those people who got perfect attendance. I just couldn’t do it. At some point during the year, I’m either going to come down with something or just completely burn myself out. I’m a believer in breaks sometimes being necessary and that there is nothing wrong with them, but as college students, we do have responsibilities and we can’t just throw them to the wind at every whim. So, before you go ahead and skip that 9AM lecture because you’re feeling a bit off, run through this list and make sure you have all your pieces in place.

By: Sophia Pei ‘22

If you hadn’t heard already, USC is implementing fall break this year! Essentially, we have a 4 day weekend starting on Thursday Oct. 17th. Here are some fun last-minute ideas for fall break. Don’t like planning outings? No worries, I’ve done the planning for you! I’ve listed four days worth of day trips to different locations in LA. For each destination, I’ve covered the basics of transportation, my favorite food places (one meal, one dessert/snack), and a fun activity. Keep reading for a detailed itinerary.

By: Alexis M Peters ‘20

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but every Wednesday—right on USC’s campus in McCarthy Quad—is a farmer’s market. It’s honestly such a great system considering that USC is kind of in a food desert. Meaning: it can be pretty difficult to get fresh and nutritious food options around here. The introduction of Trader Joe’s and Target in the village has been a total lifesaver, but it’s so nice to have the farmer’s market to supplement your fridge stash with fresh, local, beautifully glistening produce, and support local businesses at the same time. Haven’t checked it out? Read on to find out what amazing stuff you’re missing at the farmer’s market, and why farmer’s markets are better than traditional grocery stores:

By: Lindsey Hamilton ‘22

This is a great time to be alive. No, not because of modern technology or vaccines or Bird scooters. The Expo line running from downtown to Santa Monica has connected the beach to the city since May of 2016. That makes it only the third ―the third!― year that USC students have been able to take advantage of all of the fun destinations now available to us. It’s a great time to be alive. But there’s a lot of city in between the beach and downtown. Here’s what I found…

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

Looking to explore Los Angeles, but not really sure where to go? Check out the Japanese Village Plaza in Little Tokyo! With great scenery, great music, and great food, it’s the perfect place if you’re looking to get off of campus. Simply hop on the expo line right from campus, ride eastbound to 7th St/Metro Center, transfer to the Red/Purple train eastbound to Union Station, transfer one last time to the Gold Line southbound towards Atlantic Station before getting off right at Little Tokyo. From there, use this guide to score some of the best snacks available!

By: Sophia Pei ‘22

It’s the height of midterm season and everyone around you is getting sick. The combination of lack of sleep, stress, and lack of self-care can easily lead to you feeling unwell when you most need to be at your best. It’s easy to forget to do the things that keep us well when things get hectic, leading to a positive feedback loop of stress. Here are some reminders and tips for you to be and stay well!

By: Sumaya Hussaini ‘22

Academic, author, diplomat, and former UN ambassador Samantha Power joined USC students and faculty in Bovard Auditorium to discuss her new memoir, The Education of an Idealist, Tuesday night. The event was presented by the USC Speakers Committee and Power was accompanied on stage by USC Center on Public Diplomacy director, Jay Wang.

By: Alexis M Peters ‘20

So, you’re an introvert, huh? Me too. I didn’t even realize it until I got to college. In high school, I’d hang out with my friends after school on a regular basis. I went on fun trips and hangouts all the time. And after all of that socializing, I got to go home at the end of the day. But college is one crazy ride. You’re surrounded by your friends 24/7. There are events happening nearly every weekend from parties, to club meetings, to concerts. And living in a big city like Los Angeles, there are always more fun events demanding your time and attention.