UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
STUDENT BLOG
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Navigating Your First Year as a USC Trojan
by Lanie Brice
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Navigating Your First Year as a Spring Admit
by Lanie Brice
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How to Balance Your Social Life During Finals
by Donal Buckley
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Study Tips and Habits to Get Through Finals Season
by Lauren Liang
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Study Tips To Get You Through Midterms and Finals Season
By: Lauren Liang ‘23
It’s that time of the semester again (or is it always that time of the semester?): exam season is upon us. While it might be tempting to just wing it, you can better prepare yourself with these studying tips.
Advice for Making Friends on Campus
By: Ela Rybak ‘25
Meeting new people can also be as easy as running into classmates in the elevator or around campus or making plans to study together for upcoming tests. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone by participating in fun activities because you never know where you will meet your next friend!
Your Future Hobb(ies):
By: Ela Rybak ‘25
Sometimes I only have half an hour to catch up with family and friends, but recently, I’ve recognized how much better I feel when I take time to do things unrelated to work or school. Here’s some inspiration for hobbies and activities that will help your well-being during this hectic season.
8 pieces of advice for Graduate Students at USC
By: Joshen Mantai ‘24 (USC Student Life Guest Blogger)
When I first got to USC as a graduate student at Annenberg, I didn’t know what to expect for my experience, especially at a university in the middle of such a big city. Would it be like my undergraduate experience at UC Santa Barbara, or did I have to prepare myself for a whole new environment with a separate identity? So, for any incoming or current graduate students, I’m sharing what I’ve learned through my first semester experience so far.
East Coaster Attending College on the West Coast!
By: Kristen Adams ‘25
Hopped off the plane at LAX with a dream and my cardigan! After living on the East Coast for 19 years of my life, here’s what I’ve learned from attending college in Los Angeles, almost 3,000 miles away from home.
Making the Most of your Semester Abroad
By: Hannah Skinner ‘23
Studying abroad will already be one of the most enriching experiences you have as a student, but there are ways to add even more value. Looking back at my experience at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, I felt like I adequately prepared myself to go abroad, but there was still plenty I learned along the way. Here’s some tips I implemented that helped me make the most of my time in South Korea.
Free and Accessible Activities I Recommend for Your Downtime
By: Nancy Aguilar Sanchez ‘22
Once you finally have the time between classes, exams, and homework to go explore LA, it’s often hard to find activities that are free or affordable. Here’s some inspiration for the next time you want to go out without blowing your budget!
Is living at The Lorenzo worth it?
By: Nancy Aguilar-Sanchez ‘22
I’ve lived at The Lorenzo for two years now and can say with certainty that everyone’s experience and the value they get out of it is different. Most freshmen and sophomores live on campus because housing is guaranteed but once you reach junior year, it’s a lot less likely that you’ll get on-campus housing; lots of students find themselves living at The Lorenzo.
The International Student’s Guide to Getting a Driver’s License
By: Ngai Yeung ‘23
Having grown up in a city with excellent public transit, I didn’t know a thing about cars—my automobile knowledge was so lacking that I didn’t know there was more than one pedal until my first driving lesson here. Here’s what I learned from my bumbling journey to getting a license in California.
Sistxrs in Solidarity: Prioritizing Wellbeing While Fighting for Our Spaces as Black Women
By: Chia Okwaraibekwe ‘26 (USC Student Life Guest Blogger)
Every time I found myself at a hospital or clinic, I desperately searched for people who looked like me. As I grew older and started to become more knowledgeable about the hidden truths in life, I began to realize that being both Black and a woman would make navigating the medical field more difficult than I anticipated.
Brunch Worth Trying in LA
By: Hannah Skinner ‘23
Los Angeles has an impressive brunch scene, and no, it’s not just avocado toast. If you are looking to try some good brunch food but are overwhelmed with options, don’t worry! I’ve recently tried five new brunch spots in LA so you don’t have to.
Hate the Gym? This class will change your mind!
By: Tamanna Sood ‘24
Last semester, no matter how hard I tried to take care of myself and go to the gym, I found myself making excuses. I hated going to the gym and felt like I didn’t know what I was doing. Knowing my struggles, a friend suggested I try out PHED 104A. It turned out to be one of the best classes I’ve taken at USC!