Sometimes school can get overwhelming, especially with end of the year projects and finals coming around the corner. One method that I use to help me decompress is meditation.

As National Men’s Health Awareness month comes to a close, you may be asking: Miguel, if November is over, why are you writing about this now? Despite the helpfulness of having a month dedicated to men’s health topics, we should be talking about these challenges year-round - especially when it comes to mental health. In American culture and many other cultures worldwide, vulnerability about men’s mental health and open conversations about solutions are seen as taboo. The perception of manhood and masculinity in many cultures, even in the face of health issues, can end up boxing men into black and white categories like emotionally weak (negative) vs. unwaveringly strong (the goal) – which can come at a cost.

Every year at the end of the fall semester, college students search for housing for the next year. The politics behind finding housing are difficult as students try to find the perfect group of roommates without hurting anyone’s feelings. This gets even more difficult when each roommate has different priorities for their housing; some want the cheapest place and others the closest to campus. Many people want to live in the Village but don’t get an apartment that fits their group. Off-campus housing is a great option if you don’t want to have to pay for a meal plan or if you’re looking to be closer to the south side of campus or the row. Or, of course, if you’re an upperclassman and don’t have the privilege of living in USC housing. To help ease the anxiety that comes with searching through all the housing possibilities, I’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular off-campus housing options.

It’s that dreaded time of the semester again. As classes draw to a close and many of us book our tickets home for Thanksgiving, there’s one thing in the back of everyone’s minds — finals. During this period, it’s natural to feel stressed, overwhelmed, and agonized by the amount of work professors expect us to do in such a short amount of time. Hearing the same four study tips certainly doesn’t help.

Chances are, if you’re reading this, you’re well into the college application process or waiting until Thanksgiving break to crank out your essays (which is perfectly fine, that’s what I did!). You might be frantically watching endless TikTok and YouTube videos for advice on choosing the right major, deciding which colleges to apply to, scholarship deadlines to keep in mind, and how to write a compelling personal statement or the UC’s Personal Insight Questions. It's safe to say I was very overwhelmed with the ocean of opinions that sometimes clashed with one another.

Finals season is in full swing and winter break is almost here. As we wrap up our last weeks of the semester and prepare to go home for the holidays, it can be a stressful time. December is a time for giving, family fun, and making memories. When you find moments of downtime, use it to take a break and have some fun. Here’s a list of festivities to do with your friends, family, a partner, or by yourself.

As students, it's easy to walk past the historic buildings that have been on campus for over a century without noticing them. USC, founded way back in 1880, has a deep history hidden within its grounds. We often forget to be curious about the people, events, and changes that have shaped our campus; yet, there is so much left to uncover. 

I recently visited the First Generation Plus Success Center (FG+SC) to begin this mission. If you’re like me and you are unfamiliar with FG+SC, here’s what I learned during my time there. 

The school year always starts with a bang for new students at USC, and this August was no different with a thrilling Welcome Back Concert, electric Splash Bash, and triumphant debut game day. The Trojan Welcome Experience brought thousands of first years into the Trojan Family through unforgettable events big and small — forging new friendships that will last the next four years and beyond.

Believe it or not, Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Many USC students are preparing for a long drive or flight home for the break, but if you are planning to stay on campus or live in Southern California, here are some perfect day or overnight trips nearby to get out of the hustle and bustle of Downtown Los Angeles.

In my time at USC, my experiences with roommates have ranged from neutral to super positive to extremely unhealthy. Having gone through what many people fear coming into college, my story can serve as both a warning to incoming freshmen as well as reassurance that, ultimately, I found great people to help me through. And I haven’t lost faith in finding good roommates.

As the fall season is in full swing, temperatures are cooling down, and Thanksgiving is around the corner, which means there are many fun festivities to take part in. Fall is the season for pumpkin spice, football, and a reminder to be thankful for our loved ones. Bearing in mind everyone has different holiday experiences, I know it’s common for students to stay in LA during Thanksgiving, so here are a few potential events and places you can visit to incorporate some holiday goodness into your busy college life.