The Best Bagel in LA
Did you know the average bagel has a history as rich as its flavor? Originating in 17th-century Poland, bagels have traveled the world to become a breakfast (and anytime) staple, especially here in LA, where creativity and quality shine. If you’re craving a bagel that’s perfectly chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside, look no further. This roundup features some of the best bagel spots I’ve discovered in Los Angeles, each offering something unique.
Last Minute Halloween Costumes
With midterms, work, and life in general, sometimes we just don’t have the time to come with an elaborate Heidi-Klum-as-a-worm costume. Nor do we even want to spend the money. So here’s a few last minute halloween costume inspirations from someone who was Snoopy with just her hair wash headband (conveniently with dog ears)!
The Correlation Between My Seat and Productivity
When selecting a place to sit, I consider two crucial factors: people and proximity. Ask what your college can do for you. There I said it. Students and professors who take a fleeting glance at me crouched on the floor motivate me to look productive and therefore be productive. Sitting next to the lecture hall makes the looming nearness of the next class a ticking time bomb to finish my readings at hand.
LGBTQ+ History Month at USC
LGBTQ+ History Month takes place throughout the month of October and has become an integral part of the USC community for more than fifty years. The origins of this celebration date back to 1970, when a group of students and faculty established the Gay Liberation Forum. This initiative aimed to advocate for the rights and recognition of LGBTQ+ individuals. After years of dedicated activism and perseverance, the movement achieved a significant milestone in 1975 when it was officially recognized by the USC Board of Trustees. This acknowledgment marked a pivotal moment in the university’s history, solidifying the importance of LGBTQ+ issues within the campus community.
Splash or Pass: A Guide to Southern California’s Beaches
L.A. is known for good weather and palm trees. Part of the city’s picturesque stereotype is the quintessential beach: rolling, deep blue waves, miles of fine-grained sand and a blazing-hot sun. While I am forever grateful for my close proximity to several beaches, I’ve learned the beaches I prefer and the ones I don’t. This past summer, I took it upon myself to frequent as many beaches as I could to curate my ideal beach day. This is my list of beaches in Southern California I’ve most recently visited. Some are a pass, but some are definitely worth a splash!
Book Recommendations Based on Your Major
Looking for a new read? Here’s a list of book recommendations perfectly tailored to your USC major.
Hit the Wall: An Actor’s Perspective
Every semester, the USC School of Dramatic Arts puts on a variety of performances. During the first two weeks of November, they ran a production of Hit the Wall, which I was lucky enough to attend. The play follows multiple perspectives during the night of the Stonewall Uprising in the summer of 1969. Anthony Guerrise, a sophomore who played Newbie during the second week of performances, sat down with me to talk about his experience.
A Guide: Holiday Activities to Distract from Finals
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.
Easy Road Trips From LA
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.
Staying in LA for Thanksgiving? Here’s a Guide to Celebrating Away from Home
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.
Books You Should Judge By Their Covers
When it comes to choosing your next read, the old phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover” might come to mind. You might say, “Some of the best books may not have great covers!” or alternatively, “Some of my least favorite books have amazing covers.” You would be correct in each of these statements, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use covers as one way to determine if it will be your next read.
Never Have I Ever: USC Edition
Never Have I Ever is a fun game to play to get to know your friends better. We gave it a twist and came up with over 100 USC related “Never Have I Ever” questions to play with your friends. Enjoy!
Five Un-Boo-Lievably Cute, Spooky, and Affordable Dates Around USC and LA
Spooky season is finally upon us! Known for monsters, pumpkins, and colder weather, another great aspect of this season is the opportunity to snuggle up with your boo (get it hehe)! With midterms in full swing and Halloween just around the corner, let me take over the search for wallet friendly and fun dates off your plate. Here are five affordable, cute, and spooky dates in the Los Angeles and USC area that are great to welcome in the season.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month
Every October, USC releases a calendar of events to reflect on the history and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community. The month is meant to be an opportunity for the campus community to recognize the impact and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual communities on both the local and national level
Filone’s Pasta Kitchen @ TCC Dishes Ranked from Worst to Best
By: Ngai Yeung ‘23
There are only so many options when it comes to on-campus dining, so it’s always exciting to see a new place pop up. A few months after Filone’s Pasta Kitchen opened, I went down to the TCC and ranked each dish from worst to best. Here’s my take on what to order (and what to avoid).
Hot Pot and KBBQ Places I Recommend
By: Kristen Adams ‘25
Looking for a new place to grab dinner with friends? Whether you are a seasoned hot pot lover or a Korean Barbecue (KBBQ) newbie, I have compiled a list of my favorite hot pot and KBBQ spots around LA and especially Koreatown that I frequent with my friends on the weekend. Bon appétit!
I Believe the Journalism Curriculum Needs to Change: How Annenberg Can Better Serve Journalism Students
By: Tamanna Sood ‘24
Annenberg is and will always be my home here at USC. I love the school, and I will forever be grateful for the fact I’m able to attend this institution. However, throughout my time here, I’ve uncovered plenty of cracks in the program. Hopefully, one day, Annenberg can make changes to become even better.
Come With Me to Hecho in LA
By: Amy Argueta ‘24 (USC Student Life Guest Blogger)
This past Saturday the USC Latine Student Assembly organized Hecho in LA, an event meant to celebrate Latine culture through food, music, and artists. In McCarthy Quad, various Latine owned student and non-student vendors sold art, clothes, jewelry, and more. Various stalls also sold food from all over Latin America from Mexico to Peru to El Salvador.
Reviewing Nearby Coffee Shops in LA to Work From
By: Ani Antonyan ‘24
Tired of studying at Leavey Library? Need a change of scenery and to get off campus? Exploring LA and trying nearby coffee shops is a great way to motivate yourself to get started on that project you’ve been dreading or devote yourself to a study session. So grab your laptop, your TAP card, and computer charger, and get ready to power through a few hours of studying and crunching assignments at these great nearby coffee shops!
Attending APASA’s “A Conversation with Stephanie Hsu”
By: Hannah Skinner ‘23
For those of you who missed it, the legendary Stephanie Hsu came to campus on April 5th. During the presentation, she shared her personal story of navigating the acting industry from theater to commercials to Everything Everywhere All At Once. In light of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, the topics of the conversation included navigating the film industry as an Asian American, creative expression through characters like Joy in Everything Everywhere All at Once, and, moving forward, the expansion of storytelling in cinema to be more inclusive and genuine.