By: Tamanna Sood ‘24

Founded in 2010 by the United Nations Foundation, Girl Up is a girl-centered leadership development initiative focusing on equity for girls and women in underrepresented spaces. I first learned about Girl Up through my friend Rumaisa Islam, who coincidentally happens to be the president of the USC chapter this year. I recently got the chance to sit down with Islam to learn more about the organization:

By: Tamanna Sood ‘24

If you’re a journalism major and you’re feeling super overwhelmed and thinking about changing your major, but still like journalism - don’t worry we have literally all been there. My journalism friends and I can all attest to our second year being our “weeder” year — most of us were at difficult crossroads in deciding whether to continue in the major or not. If you feel the same way, don’t worry, I got you! Here are some tips for getting through your second year as a journalism student:

By: Ani Antonyan ‘24

As I scrambled through Handshake looking for a summer internship last year, I noticed a lot of job offerings were remote or hybrid. I ended up landing a fully remote internship for a company based in London. If you’re job hunting, or have a remote or hybrid job lined up for the summer, here’s my take on the unexpected challenges that come with remote work, along with tips for navigating the ins and outs of the workspace.

By: Ela Rybak ‘25

Living in the center of Los Angeles offers USC students many opportunities to celebrate unique holidays at cafes, bakeries, and amusement parks. Here are some obscure and unique holidays and ideas for how to celebrate them when you need a random reason to party.

By: Tamanna Sood ‘24

Have you been craving something new to watch lately? Is your current watch list going a little stale? Well fear not! As your resident Bollywood Movie expert (take this with a grain of salt), I’m here to help diversify your watch list. Here are some incredible Bollywood “coming of age” movies on Netflix to offer both a sense of comfort and entertainment!

By: Ani Antonyan ‘24

Transitioning from college life to the real world is exhilarating yet terrifying. It's hard not to think about your future— especially as graduation approaches. As the semesters fly by, I catch myself pondering whether I'm prepared for what’s ahead. Luckily, the USC Career Center is here to help USC students navigate our future and goals. Come with me on my adventure to sort out my career and show you the resources you can take advantage of.

By: Ela Rybak ‘25

I’ve had a few different bags during my college career, but my current black Coach tote is my absolute favorite! It is the perfect size to fit all of my supplies, and I often use it for non-school-related adventures as well. I have noticed that having a tote instead of a backpack makes things more easily accessible while on the go. Ultimately, I feel like my tote fits me and my life perfectly!

By: Lanie Brice ‘24

In my humble opinion, one of the best parts of living in the US is access to public libraries, but unfortunately, most people aren’t familiar with all the things the library has to offer. While USC has plenty of incredible libraries, they’re more suited to research or a late night study session than finding the hottest new fiction release. If you made a resolution to read more for fun in 2023 like I did, don’t overlook the LA Public Library to save on books, get free movies, documentaries, magazines, music, and much more.

By: Amy Argueta ‘24 (USC Student Life Guest Blogger)

One of the perks of being a USC student is the wealth of discounts available to many of your favorite brands. From free streaming subscriptions to discounted or even free entrance to theme parks and museums around LA, there are many ways to save money during your time at USC.

By: Hannah Skinner ‘23

I’m a big fan of overnight oats. They’re nutritious, cheap, convenient, and yummy which keeps them at the top of my favorite breakfasts list. As long as you have a few ingredients in your kitchen, the endless flavor combinations will never bore you. If you don’t know how to make them, I’m here to help. Now you’ll never have an excuse to skip breakfast!

By: Tamanna Sood ‘24

The honest and terrible truth is that finding the time to plan a cute date on a budget can be extremely stressful. Suddenly, you find yourself missing out on asking out your crush because you can’t figure out the perfect place to take them. Not on my watch! Here’s five simple, fun, and affordable dates in the USC area that you can take your partner out to!

By: Ani Antonyan ‘24

Being gluten-free in LA should be easy. However, gluten-friendly options are still hard to come by—even in health-nut city. Whether you’re looking for a restaurant to dine out with your friends for a special occasion or for when you’re too tired to cook, use this guide instead of aimlessly scrolling through Postmates for hours.