UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
STUDENT BLOG
-
![]()
Navigating Your First Year as a USC Trojan
by Lanie Brice
-
![]()
Navigating Your First Year as a Spring Admit
by Lanie Brice
-
![]()
How to Balance Your Social Life During Finals
by Donal Buckley
-
![]()
Study Tips and Habits to Get Through Finals Season
by Lauren Liang
looking for something to read?
Top Tips for the Rose Bowl Flea Market
By: Lanie Brice ‘24
This past weekend, after months of looking forward to it, I finally visited the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena. It was at the top of my LA bucket list, and I was so excited. Finally going made me realize that even with quite a bit of research, there were still so many things I wish I knew before I decided to go to the market, so I compiled my top tips to hopefully answer any questions you might have about going!
Reviewing USC’s Premed Courses (Part 1)
By: Nathan Kim ‘24
As a student on the premed track, I’ve always tried to read older students’ thoughts and opinions on various classes. However, I have yet to come across a post online that explains each premed prerequisite in detail.
Instagrammable Brunch Spots Around LA
By: Kristen Adams ‘25
Whether you’re celebrating a friend’s birthday, exploring the food scene around LA, or craving something other than dining hall food, here is a list of brunch spots around the USC area that you can add to your must-try list!
A Conversation with Southern California Healthcare Outreach Founder Nikhilesh Kumar
By: Lanie Brice ‘24
Yesterday, I had the chance to sit down over Zoom with Nikhilesh Kumar, the founder of Southern California Healthcare Outreach. This USC organization was created in 2019 with an mission to educate the people of Los Angeles and beyond about healthcare and health insurance from how they can enroll in lower cost options and take advantage of policies to how they become more active in the policy choices around the issues. The club is currently open to applications for the spring term until Saturday February 12th. Here’s my conversation with Nikhilesh on his experience founding this organization, what club members can expect when they join, and the initiatives that he’s most proud of.
How to add Active Recall to your Study Routine
By: Kelsey Cheng ‘25
We’ve all been there––rereading your textbook for the third time at 1 AM, hoping that the test won’t be that hard. Like many students, I studied by highlighting notes and rewatching zoom lectures. While this may work for some, there are other ways to absorb learning material. In honor of midterms week, I tried out a new method of studying called active recall that’s supposed to increase memory retention and decrease hours spent at Leavey.
Come with Me to a Men’s Volleyball Game
By: Kelsey Cheng ‘25
Did you know that USC students can watch regular-season, home games for almost every sport? Last week, Trojans faced off against UC San Diego at the Galen Center. As a long-time fan of USC volleyball, I jumped at the chance to see my school’s victory over the Tritons. Follow me to learn more about the volleyball game experience!
5 Tips for Double Majoring from a Double Major
By: Nancy Aguilar ‘22
Deciding to pursue a second major is a difficult decision on its own, and it can be a very tedious and lengthy process depending on which major you’d like to add to your existing curriculum. Plus —even if you are successful in adding it—the work has only just begun. In my experience, this process took months to achieve. My first major under Dornsife was International Relations and Global Business; later, I applied to the School of Cinematic Arts in August 2020. Prior to, I had months of preparation for the application entailing essay writing, storytelling and creating my own film. If you’re adding a major that is within the same school it’s probably a relatively easier process, but, sooner or later, all double majors have to deal with the same obstacle: finding balance.
What It’s Like Being a Tour Guide!
By: Kristen Adams ‘25
Having been a high school senior only one year ago, I vividly remember the stress associated with the college admissions process. From writing supplemental essays, to completing my Common App, to touring college campuses, there is a lot that goes into creating a college list. I toured a handful of colleges myself (unfortunately not including USC) before making the important decision on May 1. Now, as a freshman at USC, I am in the process of becoming a USC Student Ambassador – in other words, I’m soon going to be a tour guide, walking around the USC campus with a mic and a large group of anxious high school students and their families. Here is a little bit about my experience thus far!
I Tried Jade Rolling. Does it Live Up to the Hype?
By: Lanie Brice ‘24
Jade rollers have gone in and out of fashion in the beauty world for years since 2018, but after seeing them in one too many YouTube videos recently, I decided I needed to try out the practice for myself. Aside from the claims it promotes lymphatic drainage and might help contour your face, I thought that the cool roller might just be soothing, so I figured I didn’t have much to lose. So, one day at Whole Foods, I gave in and picked a pink jade roller off the shelf and decided to finally give it a try.
The COVID Survival Guide
By: Sydney Fiorentino ‘ 24
We are all trying our best to not catch COVID-19, but cases have gone up because of Omicron and the holidays; unfortunately, I caught the virus myself. Let me say, you do not want to get it. But on the off chance that you do, here is a small survival guide that’ll help make your 10-day quarantine and recovery better:
How to Make the Most of the Virtual School Experience
By: Nancy Aguilar ‘22
Now that we have had almost two years of online school as a result of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, it’s safe to say that we’re way past Zoom fatigue. This is chronic pain. Just when we thought we were safe in Fall 2021, Spring 2022 gave us a wake up call.
How to Create a Mood (Vision) Board *Updated*
By: Sydney Henry ‘24
Happy New Year everyone! 2021 may have not been the best year for you, but 2022 is all about increased positivity and making it the best year for you. So, how exactly can you map out 2022 to make it the best year for you? Try creating a mood board to help you accomplish all that you are looking forward to in 2022.