9 Small Things That Make My Life Better As a College Student
Heading into my senior year of college, I’ve finally learned the embrace that college is hard. Whether it’s a tough class or just homesickness and general overwhelm, there’s always a new challenge to work through. I guess that’s what growing up is all about. But, over time, I’ve learned one of the best ways to treat those low moments is finding small ways to make your life a little better every day.
2021 Quarantine Upgrade
By: Sophia Williams ‘22
By now, everyone is exhausted by having to find new innovative ways to fill the long days of quarantine. However, boredom often leads to innovation, which is why I’ve pulled together a list of some fresh new takes on how to make the most of our time at home.
Surviving College as an Introvert
By: Alexis M Peters ‘20
So, you’re an introvert, huh? Me too. I didn’t even realize it until I got to college. In high school, I’d hang out with my friends after school on a regular basis. I went on fun trips and hangouts all the time. And after all of that socializing, I got to go home at the end of the day. But college is one crazy ride. You’re surrounded by your friends 24/7. There are events happening nearly every weekend from parties, to club meetings, to concerts. And living in a big city like Los Angeles, there are always more fun events demanding your time and attention.
I Made All of My Meals in a Toaster Oven for a Week
By: Alexis M Peters ‘20
Okay, I’ve done some pretty wild food challenges in the past (check out my adventure of eating raw vegan in the USC dining halls for a week, here!) but this time, it wasn’t voluntary. I’m gonna let you guys in on a secret: Adulting is hard. This is my first year living off campus in non-USC housing, and my roommates and I completely forgot that paying for our own gas is… a thing? For those of you who have had the wonderful fortune of living in university housing, where they take care of that stuff for you, let me explain. Your landlord does not pay for your gas! (Well, sometimes they do, but check your lease agreement to be sure!) And guess what? Stoves and ovens run on gas! So… for an entire week, while my roommates and I waited for the gas company to come and flip a switch to get our stove up and running, I had to make do with the few appliances we had: a rice cooker, an electric kettle, and my one true savior: a toaster oven.
Am I Even An Adult? A Teen Navigating Independence in College
By: Alexandria Frank ‘21
Storytime! So, I bought these tickets last month to go see Cavetown at the Roxy Theatre. I was excited because music is amazing, and live music is even better. I was hesitant to drop $30 on these tickets, not to mention I’d have to pay more on the Uber, but I was committed because I needed to treat myself. It was Valentine’s Day. I ate at the cafeteria in the Village so I wouldn’t be hungry in West Hollywood. I was dressed like an indie music darling. I had ordered my Uber which was taking forever to reach me for some reason, but I wasn’t bothered because I made sure to head out early. I was nearly in the clear. And then my phone rings. It’s my dad.
New Year, Not So New You
By: Alexis M Peters ‘20
The new year is coming up soon, and that means it’s almost time to start thinking about a New Year’s resolution. Instead of making some cliche resolution about eating healthier, or something you won’t realistically accomplish like working out everyday, pick something that’s actually attainable. Chances are you don’t even remember what your resolution was last year. That’s why I want to challenge you to this: Come January, make a resolution that’s unique and actually write it down. Writing down your goals makes it much more likely that you’ll actually achieve them. So, let’s get into it! Here are 10 not cliche New Year’s resolutions you could take for your own!
Sluts of a Feather Walk Together
By: Alexis M Peters ‘20
When Amber Rose walked into the room, I couldn’t help but nudge my neighbor and whisper anxiously: “She’s here!” The model, actress, and activist entered the room to a smattering of applause, her blonde-headed entourage bobbing behind her. The event hadn’t even started, but a respectful hush had fallen over the crowd, everyone ready to absorb empowerment and knowledge. On Tuesday, October 2, I attended OpenEd: A Fireside Chat with Amber Rose, hosted by USC Dornsife and The Amber Rose Foundation. It was an event to promote open dialogue and education about sex positivity, rape culture, gender inequality, and digital activism. With Amber Rose herself as the discussion mediator, there were four women panelists: Shafika Ahmadi, Associate Professor of Clinical Education at the Rossier School of Education; Genie Harrison, a trial lawyer with her own law firm, and recognized by Best Lawyers in America; Liz Havstad, executive director and COO of Hip Hop Caucus, a civil and human rights organization; and Nicole aBeckett, the cofounder of SameSide, an organization that uses art, music, and culture to make political action more accessible. This was certainly an esteemed group of women, and they perched on their little stools, smiling out at us like elegant queens.
I Went to a Dance Party at 6 AM and This is What Happened
By: Alexis M Peters ‘20
Okay, I know what you’re thinking, and the answer is no. I didn’t stay out too late, and I wasn’t being an irresponsible college student. I was living it up on the dance floor at 7 AM on a Wednesday for the good of my health. The fact of the matter is: I hate exercise. I hate going to the gym. I hate running. I hate movement just for the sake of movement. You will never find me doing squats at the gym. You will never find me on an elliptical or a treadmill. And if you do, check up on me to make sure I’m alright.
5 Things I Learned Last Year as A Freshman
By: Lilly Kate Diaz ‘20
Hi, all! I hope classes are going well. And I hope you’re taking self care procedures to make sure your well-being is at its greatest. I figured that since I started my sophomore year at SC, I’d let the freshmen know what I learned as a freshman last year (hence the title). So, let’s get into it!
Fight On Through Finals With USC’s OWHP!
By: Sydney Fishman ‘16
Hello fellow USC students! My name is Sydney Fishman. I’m a senior majoring in Environmental Studies, and I am also a Student Worker at the Office for Wellness and Health Promotion. Whether you’re a freshman finishing up your first year of college, or a seasoned senior looking ahead toward your next steps, we all have finals season ahead of us. For many like myself, it’s challenging to stay well during the last few weeks of school—you stay up too late, don’t eat well, and feel generally “blah.”
Festival of Books 2k16: To Live and Thrive
By: Kelly Kinas ‘16
While the weather was not the best this past weekend, the Festival of Books was a major success, at least from where I’m standing. At that point, I was walking around campus without an umbrella with a light shower making me slightly damp. There were families, school groups, couples, the old, the young, and everyone in between. It is so special that the University of Southern California gets to host such an important event. Even better, all of the students for USC get to experience this festival and listen in on the amazing talks happening throughout our campus.
AIDS Awareness Month: The War on AIDS
By: AnnaLiese Burich ‘17
As college students, we were not alive during the original HIV/AIDS epidemic, so we might have a hard time taking it seriously. I know we are all well-educated, bright young college students who do our homework, so we know the logistics: in the late 80s, a good portion of society—a good amount in the gay community—were wiped out because of the horrible, incurable virus called “human immunodeficiency virus” that caused “acquired immunodeficiency syndrome” that interferes with one’s ability to fight infection. We may have listened to or seen RENT, and we may have read or seen Angels In America (and if you haven’t experienced these two works of art, I highly encourage you to check them out) that deal with the grave emotional stakes behind HIV/AIDS. We may think we understand.
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.