Matcha for Beginners: Everything You Need Before Starting!
I’m very particular about my matcha, which should be a concern if you’re a matcha addict like me, who is also trying to stay on a budget. Last year I spent a bunch of money going to cafes or Dulce runs just so I could have my weekly matcha, but now I can have it every day by making it at home!
Friendsgiving Recipe Ideas
Here are all of the Friendsgiving recipes, from appetizers to desserts, that will make your gathering deliciously unforgettable. Most importantly, Friendsgiving isn't just about the perfect dish; it's about spending time with all of your close friends.
The Best Late-Night Sweet Treats Around USC
If you are anything like me, you are always looking for a place to get a late-night sweet treat. Los Angeles is known for its amazing food selection, and if you’ve got a sweet tooth, there’s no shortage of incredible dessert spots. Whether you're craving gelato, frozen yogurt, or something baked fresh, here’s a list of the best places to satisfy your dessert cravings when the sun goes down.
Scholarships You Should Apply to if You’re from SoCal
You often hear that there’s millions of scholarships available for college students. But most of these scholarships can have extremely niche criteria that you don’t feel like applies to you, or feel like a shot in the dark. As someone who’s successfully landed thousands in scholarships, in my experience, the more narrow the criteria to apply to a scholarship, the more likely you are to get that scholarship. And surprise, surprise, there can be one piece of criteria that already benefits a large percentage of USC students.
Club Spotlight: Trojan Marketing Group
Have you ever dreamed of bringing creative marketing campaigns to life for real companies? At Trojan Marketing Group (TMG), you’ll do exactly that and so much more! TMG is USC’s very own full-service, student-run, pro-bono marketing agency, where passionate members work together to create impactful, story-driven campaigns for businesses and non-profits across Los Angeles. Want to know what it’s really like behind the scenes? During this club spotlight, I’ll give you the insider’s scoop on all things TMG.
10 Last Minute Halloween Costumes
It’s that time of year we’re trudging up the hill of projects disguised as midterms and trying to maintain that treasured “work-life balance.” The last thing on your mind is what three Halloweekend costumes you’ll need to scrounge together with accessories that may or may not come in time. So, here are some last-minute costumes that you can put together with clothes in your closet.
Balling on a Budget: Best $5 Cheap Eats in and Around USC
The beginning of semester means explaining your major a bajillion times, regretting scheduling morning and night lectures, and, of course, finding time to sneak in a quick bites of your protein bar between deadlines and events. If you find yourself skipping meals, living off of vending machine trail mix, or rationing your overpriced L.A. takeout, here’s a guide to the best cheap eats in and around USC.
Slice Shop @ TCC Pizzas Ranked from Worst to Best
I was somewhat surprised when TCC began selling pizza slices this school year. I understand the pasta place next to it, but when college students already get so much free pizza from club events and campus talks, pizza that costs money better be worth it. I tried all of Slice Shop’s Pizzas and ranked them from worst to best. Here’s my take:
Planning the Perfect Disney Trip (with itinerary!)
By: Hannah Skinner ‘23
Looking to plan a fun Disney day this semester but don’t know where to start? With frequent price changes and complicated ticket policies, it’s hard to keep up, but as a Southern Californian, I go a couple of times each year and have created the perfect itinerary to tackle Disney if you only have one day in the parks.
5 Classic Rom-Coms to Watch this Holiday Season!
By: Sanaa Alam ‘25
One of the best parts of the winter holidays is cuddling next to the fireplace with a warm cup of hot chocolate or cider, spending time with family and friends, and watching holiday movies! As an avid rom-com watcher, here’s my favorite 90s and early 2000s movies perfect for embracing the holiday vibes this winter season!
10 HBO Max and Showtime Movies to Watch during Winter Break
By: Hannah Skinner ‘23
If you didn’t know already, USC students have free access to both HBO Max and Showtime! Now that winter break is coming up it’s the perfect time to flex your free accounts and have a movie night at home with friends and family. Here are 10 movies to add to your watchlist.
The Best Food in L.A. (On a Budget)
By: Sian Salazar ‘25 (Guest Blogger)
As a current college student who’s already (more than) breaking the bank just by attending USC, I know the importance of keeping your spending under a budget. So I’ve put together a quick list of places in Los Angeles with cheap, student-budget-friendly food.
Big New Movies to Watch This Year
By: Claire Wong ‘23
COVID-19 has been an interesting period for movies. Movies have been digitally released this year because theaters across the nation are closed. And without the theater experience, watching movie is not as appealing. Movies have been very much marketing their films differently this season and you may have missed some. Here are some of the best movies released this year!
The Fresh Prince and I
By: Justin Negash ‘22
It’s 2008, and I’m eating my injera with chickpeas as fast as I can; scarfing down my dinner so that I’m seated and ready for 7:00. I’m ahead of schedule as the medley of infomercials and local plumbing advertisements bombard my television screen. I needed this; after a long day at school, I yearned to enter the world of Bel-Air and its certified ruler: the Fresh Prince. I’m counting the seconds until 7:00 hits as my family finally gets seated on the living room couch (ableit to much less enthusiasm than myself). 7:00 hits, and the fruits of my labor finally get realized. Finally, the Prince has arrived.
10 Clubs Anyone Can Still Join Virtually
By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22
Just because we’re online, doesn’t mean we can’t connect — especially in terms of clubs and other activities. The online semester did throw a wrench in things, but a lot of organizations still managed to make it work! Regardless of your major or minor, these are activities that anyone can participate in!
Movies and Moods
By: Camila Grases ‘21
We all know this time of the semester can be stressful. Midterms around every corner, your work throughout the whole semester is culminating suddenly. Sometimes, the best thing we can do for ourselves and our mental health is step away from these stressful situations and take some time to allow ourselves to be transported to different worlds. Here is a list of some of my favorite movies to watch based on the moods and anxiety you might be feeling. Of course, as with anything, this is my own list. These are movies that I love, regardless of whether they are considered “good” or not. All I can hope is that this inspires a movie session or two.
Movie Night on a Budget
By: Danielle Collins ‘20
I love movies, and I love seeing movies at the theater. But in LA, too many movies nights can break the bank. Coming from my hometown where movie tickets are $7, going to the theater in LA was a shock. So I’ve done my best to figure out how to keep seeing movies without draining my bank account. My two biggest recommendations are buying tickets from the USC Ticket Office, or investing in MoviePass if you’re a serious moviegoer. Keep reading to learn about those options and a couple of other suggestions!
Meet Emily
By: Emily Young MA ‘16
Hello Tumblr. We meet at last. You are the last social media frontier that I haven’t posted on. Now that we’ve met, I couldn’t be any happier!! I’ve blogged before on espnW representing the USC Women’s Volleyball team, but after a semester of silence the opportunity to share the USC experience on Trojans 360 was a calling I couldn’t refuse. So hello Tumblr, friends, and prospective new readers!