The Ultimate (Affordable) Holiday Gift Guide
By: Lanie Brice ‘24
With the holidays already upon us, you might be scrambling to think of last minute gifts for everyone on your list. This gift guide is focused on keeping gift giving affordable (everything is under $50) and heartfelt. Hopefully it will spark some inspiration to make your friends and family think you read their mind.
USC Student Voting 101
By: Hannah Skinner ‘23
It’s Midterm Season! Well, not those kinds of midterms…either ways, we all know the power of voting, so if you need a refresher on the process or are a first-time voter, here’s what you need to know to register and vote in the 2022 elections:
Things To Do in L.A. Before Summer Break
By: Sian Salazar ‘25 (Guest Blogger)
It’s kind of shocking to me that we only have 3 weeks left in the school year. This semester flew by so incredibly fast. Since we’re running out of time, I’ve put together a little guide on how to spend our last couple of weeks here at USC before we have to say goodbye (just for the summer, though!).
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.
Next on Netflix: Why You Should Watch Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness
By: Lanie Brice ‘24
This year, Jonathan Van Ness launched his own Netflix series after finding success on the wildly popular Queer Eye revival.
March 2022: Must See LA Concerts
By: Lanie Brice ‘24
Now that it’s spring, touring is back in full force, and there are so many shows coming to the LA area. While there are plenty of huge stars making their way here, I much prefer shows in smaller, more intimate venues. Here’s a sampling of shows I’m super excited about at some of my favorite venues in the city from the El Rey to the Roxy.
Donut Friend is Dessert Heaven in DTLA
By: Lanie Brice ‘22
Over the weekend, I took a field trip over to Downtown LA to explore a new part of the city and stumbled upon the cutest donut shop. On my way back from visiting The Last Bookstore, I looked up and saw a sign for a bakery called Donut Friend.
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!
Spring Break Woes
By: Mark Love ‘16
With the first week of school since spring break coming to a close, I couldn’t help but ponder upon the adventures my friends and classmates have embarked on last week. One of my friends backpacked through Scandinavia while a classmate flew to Taiwan to celebrate the week off from school. While listening to their stories, I could only shrug my shoulders and smile hoping that no one asks about my spring break itinerary. Unfortunately, I had to show up to my internship during the week, so my journey towards everlasting merriment definitely hit a roadblock. But instead of mourning my stationary predicament, I decided to take advantage of the wonders that lie within the City of Angels.
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.
Getting Off Campus: Automobile Edition
By: Kelly Kinas ‘17
This second part of the “Getting Off Campus” series is for those who are lucky enough to have a car, money for insurance and gas, and enough time to travel around. Not only can you go shopping somewhere other than the pop-up places on Trousdale, you are also pretty popular with your friends if they ever need a ride to the airport.
Getting Off Campus - No Car Edition
By: Kelly Kinas ‘17
USC is amazing but at some points during the year, I need to get away. Living on campus can sometimes be overwhelming. Luckily, we live in one of the most diverse cities in the world and there are many things to do within a few miles of campus. So get out and explore!
Eating My Way Through Downtown LA
By: Isabella Sayyah ‘16
If you asked me two years ago if I ever went to Downtown LA, or even really considered going there, the answer would be no. Living 40 miles outside the city, an hour drive on a good day, I didn’t often come into the city. And when I did, it was almost always to go somewhere on the Westside (I’m originally from Santa Monica and almost all of my family in California lives somewhere on the Westside).