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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Top Tips For Finding Friends as a Freshman
While my freshman year took place entirely online, I know what it’s like to start a new school with no friends. It can be daunting to walk up to people and start a conversation without knowing how they’ll respond.
Welcome Back Experience: Everything You Need to Know!
I hope everyone had a nice summer break! Just like the first day of classes is getting closer, so is the Trojan Welcome Experience! In the week before classes officially start, there’s new events every day to introduce you to the school, allow you to meet fellow Trojans, and celebrate the start of a new semester.
Navigating Your First Year as a Trojan: A Quick Guide for Freshmen and Transfers
Welcome, newly minted Trojans! This week, you’ll be packing your bags in your childhood bedroom and unpacking them in your brand new dorm room or apartment in Los Angeles. As you navigate a new school and possibly a new city, you’ll naturally have heaps of questions. Here at Trojans360, we’re here to help you choose the right dining hall, find your way around campus, and calm your nerves about everything being so new.
The BEST Finals Study Tips & Tricks
By: Ela Rybak ‘25
With finals around the corner, studying is at the forefront of most people’s minds. However, you may feel stuck in a rut with study techniques that no longer feel beneficial. There are a variety of study methods, and the most effective method will depend on your learning style and preferences. Here are some general tips and strategies that may be helpful as you prepare for these major cumulative exams.
Day in the Life of a Cognitive Science Major
By: Lauren Liang ‘23
Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of a junior Cognitive Science major looks like? Well, welcome to a Wednesday in my life this Spring:
Why I Decided to Minor in Digital Studies
By: Lauren Liang ‘23
If you’re anything like me, you’ve combed through USC’s course catalog more times than you can count, scouring the website for the perfect minor. After hours of deliberation, cross-checking my academic progress, and exploring required courses for a plethora of minors, I decided to declare my first minor in Digital Studies, within the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA).
Freshman Dorm Reviews: 2023 Edition
By: Kathryn Aurelio ‘25
A year ago I was scouring Reddit pages and outdated advice columns in search of the “best” and “worst” places to make my new home for freshman year. Although everyone has their own biases and preferences, here is a summary of the general consensus and my recommendations for the best places to live on-campus your freshman year.
Why I Decided to Major in Business Administration
By: Ela Rybak ‘25
When I tell strangers about my major, I normally get one of two responses – a knowing nod or a weird mixture of a shrug and a smile. And I get it. People have a preconceived notion that business majors are only looking for a high-paying job. Finding a job that offers a secure lifestyle is truly a significant accomplishment. However, this is far from the main reason why I chose to major in business.
Advice for Navigating Tense Roommate Situations
By: Kathryn Aurelio ‘25
As much as university life means curating consistent health and study habits while being independent of your family, it also welcomes in living with another person striving for the same goals. While the honeymoon phase of school begins when we’re eagerly attending welcome events, debriefing afterward, bonding over coffee, and much more, it’s inevitable to have some level of conflict throughout the school year. To nip possible tense situations in the bud, here are words of advice to navigate a co-living life:
What should seniors know? A Q&A with recent grads
By: Ngai Yeung ‘23
I’m graduating in a month and I have no idea how to process the fact. What should us graduating seniors know about the next stage of life and how has our college experience prepared us for that? I talked to a handful of recent USC and Trojan360 grads to find out.
I Want to Change My Major…Now What?
By: Hannah Skinner ‘23
Changing your major is one of the many daunting and explorative aspects of college, but it’s not as uncommon as you think it might be. In fact, I changed mine twice! If you’re reading this, you’ve probably decided to change your major, but how does the process work? Here’s a step by step guide to embarking on a new academic journey.
PR486: A Beginner’s Guide to Design Breaking Down The Adobe Suite
By: Kathryn Aurelio ‘25
Once I got accepted to USC, I made it my mission to take advantage of Annenberg’s free subscription. I religiously checked my phone to look for open seats in a class that was the perfect marriage of strategy in PR and beginner’s design, PR486: Multimedia PR Content: Introduction to Digital Design Tools. I knew this 2-unit class every Wednesday afternoon would be a welcoming experience and a reliable home base for my interdisciplinary (PR, design, and music industry) interests. After a semester kick starting my Adobe design journey, this class inspired me to pursue a minor in Communication Design at Roski and helped me establish a foundational skill set that I can list on my resume and a solid piece for my portfolio.