Get Your Head In the Game
By: Grace Carballo ‘17
My screenwriting professor’s parting advice to us in our final class last week was to throw our phones off the balcony of our second story classroom in the cinema school. She explained that, after teaching for over 20 years, she has seen the detrimental effect cell phones and social media have had on the productivity of her students, citing how all of us immediately turn on our phones and computers during the 15 minute break, unable to go even three hours without being connected to the outside world, as a perfect example.
SOS: 10 Ways to Kill It During USC Finals Week
By: Lauren Brose ‘15
Finals are Coming…. Are you ready to not sleep, forget to eat and have to hold off on the new season of Game of Thrones as you brace yourself for the most tumultuous week of 2015? When can we ever be ready? As a senior and a veteran of finals week in college, I’ve reflected back on the amazing times I deliriously sauntered into my finals and spilled every ounce of my knowledge onto bluebooks and scantrons. Of my successes and failures, I am confident that through following these 10 steps, your finals week will be more bearable than ever.
Living Canvases
By: Grace Carballo ‘17
I’m a big believer in this quote because I don’t know if I’ve ever been right about someone based on my first impression of them. And while it is very easy to assume the worst about the person who cuts you off on the highway or the person who honks at you when you don’t turn right away or the person who wrongs you in other frustrating non-driving situations (Can you tell I hate driving?), there is probably a lot more to that person that would justify their actions if only you knew a little bit about their life. Everyone has a story and all you have to do is ask a few questions and listen.
An Expert’s Guide To Napping
By: Lauren Brose ‘15
I’m just gonna put this out there: I really really love naps!! In fact, I took a glorious three 3 hour nap today. A lot of my friends are in full agreement that power naps, no matter how long or short, are better than not having naps at all. So I did some research on the topic of naps and found that not only are they good for your mental alertness but also your overall health.
I Stopped Caring About How Society Perceived Me & Haven't Felt More Liberated Since
By: Lauren Brose ‘15
When I was in high school I didn’t understand my personal worth. I looked upon my peers for validation and defined my self worth by the number of people who knew and liked me as a person. My lack of self-actualized self-love hindered me from gaining the confidence I now have within myself.
10 Things You Must Do On Valentine’s Day
By: Lauren Brose ‘15
Valentine’s Day is this weekend and I will be spending it alone this year. I have no issue with it, as I don’t believe v-day is synonymous to S.A.D (single awareness day). Like every major holiday, it is not defined by the man or woman you wake up and go to bed thinking of, but instead being in the company of people you love.
USC + Uber Join Forces
By: Lauren Brose ‘15
Have you ever been stood up by your Campus Cruiser, waited a solid 10 minutes longer than expected, or was placed on hold for 20 minutes before making it through to the dispatcher? Like many, I frequently take advantage of USC’s free taxi service to save money on Uber drivers and to get from point A to point B safely when it’s late. Sometimes, however, the inconveniences of using Campus Cruiser far outweigh its conveniences. For example, if I need to be somewhere in 15 minutes, I consider walking or calling an Uber because I don’t feel as if Campus Cruiser will receive and process my call in a timely manner. I am not alone—many share these feelings toward Campus Cruiser.
Take a Hike
By: Grace Carballo ‘17
Do it for the fresh air (do you even remember what that tastes/feels like?), do it to challenge yourself, do it to meet some rad new people, do it to get to know some of USC’s best and brightest professors outside the classroom, do it for the insta… I’m not going to get hung up on your intentions, so long as you take a hike with Peaks and Professors.
5 New Year’s Resolutions You Will Actually Stick With
By: Lauren Brose ‘15
January is coming to a close and I have one question: have you stuck with your new year’s resolutions or have you forgotten all about them already? Don’t fret if you already gave up because according to Forbes only 8% of people actually achieve their New Year’s resolutions this year.
Help Your Studying -- With Puppies!
By: Kelly Kinas ‘17
Studying for finals can be difficult and while it is necessary, sometimes some small dogs can be ever more helpful. Every semester, USC and USG help sponsor an event where study snacks are a plenty and there are puppies to stroke. Outside the Leavey library on Thursday December 4th, Friday December 5th, and Monday December 8th, the University sponsored this exact activity, which definitely did brighten my day.
Cromwell Field New OUTDOOR Equipment
By: Matthew Freihofner ‘15
Trojans! For those of you who want to workout but want to get outside at the same time there’s great news. Cromwell field, across from the bookstore, just put in BRAND NEW outdoor fitness equipment. I personally love mixing it up and working out outside on the weekends. I’m especially excited to use the new equipment at Cromwell called a ‘Rogue Rig’. For those of you who haven’t heard of it, here’s what it looks like and what you can do with it.
Hikes In LA That You Must Try Right Now
By: Lauren Brose ‘15
Hikes are a great way of toning your body (a natural lift for your backside, ladies!), getting your suggested 30 minutes of cardio in, as well as simply venturing outside the concrete confines of USC and downtown. The best part: you get to chat to your friends throughout the entire trail and be close to nature. One of my biggest accomplishments was hiking the tallest mountain in South Lake Tahoe called Mt. Tallac. It took me nearly the entire day and I was gasping for oxygen as I literally crawled the last quarter mile. In my defense, oxygen was becoming sparse considering the increased elevation and change in altitude but I felt the greatest surge of endorphins imaginable when I finally reached the top. Never had a PB&J tasted so heavenly. Maybe you’re not about that 12.5 mile hike. Instead, I outlined a handful of hikes around Los Angeles that range from less than two miles to up to seven miles.
Be Like Pharrell Williams: Be Happy
By: Kelly Kinas ‘17
Everybody makes mistakes. Everybody has those days. Everyone knows what I’m talking about. Everybody gets that way.