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
looking for something to read?
International Students: How to apply for OPT at USC
By: Ngai Yeung ‘23
For international students who are graduating in May 2023, now’s the time to start applying for OPT if you want to stay and work in the United States after graduation. Even though I’m aware of OPT, I’d put off learning about how to actually apply for it until now because it seemed so complicated. Here’s a (hopefully) more straightforward step-by-step guide that incorporates the USC Office of International Service’s (OIS) video and website as well as outside sources.
Tips for Applying to a Consulting Club at USC
By: Kristen Adam ‘25
Ready to enter the world of consulting and casing? One way of preparing for a career in consulting is to join a student organization geared towards hands-on client projects. With multiple rounds of interviews and only so many open spots available for new members, it can be very nerve-wracking to go through the process of applying to a consulting club at USC. Here are 3 tips to help demystify the application process.
My Favorite USC Class (CTCS 466)
By: Hannah Skinner ‘23
What if I told you you could get college credit for watching newly released films and speaking with their filmmakers? I can’t think of a cooler opportunity. This class is movie night with added academic benefits — truly an opportunity you shouldn’t miss out on.
Career Preparation Resources @ USC
By: Ela Rybak ‘25
Whether you’re a pre-med student hoping to become a doctor or a business major set on investment banking, the job market can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Here are three tips to make navigating recruiting as painless as possible:
The Introvert’s Guide to Networking
By: Ngai Yeung ‘23
Everyone loves to talk about how important networking is, but no one ever gives you a clear answer about how to do it. As a big time introvert, this is extra frustrating because chatting doesn’t come naturally to me. So when I saw that the USC Career Center was hosting a “Networking for Introverts” workshop (bless their heart), of course, I had to check it out. Here’s what I learned at the event, along with my own experiences as a reporter moonlighting as an extrovert:
Setting realistic standards 101
By: Sydney Fiorentino ‘24
Most goals cannot be achieved overnight. While I may go to bed early one night, creating consistency and not falling back on my old habits is hard. I’m trying to implement this goal by setting a routine or schedule for myself, and being okay with not perfectly meeting my goals all the time.
How to fix your sleep schedule
By: Sydney Fioerentino ‘24
I used to be an insomniac. I couldn’t fall asleep no matter how hard I tried, and I would stay awake until 3-5 a.m. each night. My body felt tired, but my mind was lit up worrying about school. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I knew something had to give.
What I’m Doing Differently This Semester
By: Kathryn Aurelio ’25
It’s that time of year again where we’re all jamming our notes app with new year's resolutions, collaging magazine clippings into a vibrant vision board, and saving TikToks of new food plans (and never clicking on them again). My Fall 2022 semester was jam-packed with extracurricular activities, an internship, and work-study jobs, and while I see a pattern of the workload repeating itself this semester, I hope to prioritize—or at least hold to the same level—my physical and mental health. This semester, I’m breaking the cycle…and I’m using this article to hold me to it.
Secrets of Doheny Library
By: Aedan Henry ‘24 (USC Student Life Guest Blogger)
Doheny Memorial Library might be the centerpiece of the USC campus, but beyond its gorgeous first floor reading room, many students don’t know much about what Doheny has to offer. Exploring past the lobby, you can find nine floors of dense bookstacks, countless secret study spots, an abundance of research resources, and dozens of special collections and exhibits.
GE Review: LING 285: Language and Technology
By: Kelsey Cheng ‘25
One of the most nail-biting GEs is GE-E: Physical Science. With one mention, you’re transported back into your high school biology class. Can I guarantee an easy A? No. But I can guarantee that you’ll learn theory and hard skills that are extremely valuable in the tech industry with LING 285: Language and Technology.
Advice from a Second Semester Senior
By: Hannah Skinner ‘23
It’s my last semester at USC and the ticking of my undergraduate clock is growing louder. Without the luxury of years ahead, I’ve been thinking about what I want to do (or wish I had done) before I leave. Here’s a senior’s perspective on how to take advantage of everything USC has to offer.
What I've Learned From Recruiting Season (and What I Wish I Knew)
By: Lauren Liang ‘23
Before I was hired for my first internship, I was willing to accept any offer that came my way. During interviews, I curated my experiences to whatever I thought the recruiter wanted to hear. While this is permissible as long as you’re still truthful, doing so is a surefire way to end up at a company that might not be a great fit for you.