How Catholic Trojans Do Easter
By: Maddie Walsh ‘20
If you know anything about Catholic families, you know that we don’t mess around when it comes to Easter, and my family is no different. Not only do we attend mass throughout Holy Week and invite my entire extended family over for The Big Day, but we go hard for the forty days leading up to Easter, also known as the holy period “Lent.” For as long as I can remember, my father and I have given up all processed sugar during Lent as part of a symbolic fast intended to strengthen our relationship with God. For someone who eats as much ice cream as I do, that is NOT an easy sacrifice (I guess that’s the point) but it makes me appreciate Easter that much more. Fortunately, there’s always plenty of sugar available to make up for lost time. After Easter mass in the morning, my family makes a ceremonious trip to Dairy Queen for extra large blizzards, soon followed by a buffet of desserts courtesy of my talented aunts and cousins. I look forward to this day all year long. This year, however, I dreaded it.
Student's Personal Museum: USC Libraries Special Collections
By: Amy Wang ‘21
USC students have had the benefits of studying so close to numerous history, science, and art museums. What many students do not realize is that we have our own special museum located right in Doheny Memorial Library. Within USC libraries, students can find Special Collections, which is an archive of primary sources consisting of historical documents, books, newspaper clippings, and many more different types of materials. What also distinguishes Special Collections from normal museums is that students are allowed to touch and view the any and all of the resources they request.
Making the Most of Spending Spring Break in Your Hometown
By: Natalia Wurst ‘21
It’s the time of the year when a lot a small talk conversations will somehow end up incorporating, “So, any spring break plans?” At that point, you probably already realized that a train ticket back to your hometown is the most money/energy/effort you can afford to spend. But then the doubts start to settle–does that make me a friendless lame-o who will look back on their college years and start uncontrollably sighing with regret? Is everyone hanging out without me? Fear not, because the answer is a 95% confident no to all of the above. Instead of making up a fake trip to the Bahamas with your fifty best friends, here’s why/how you should embrace going home for break:
What to Do if You’re Spending Spring Break in LA
By: Alexis M Peters ‘20
So, home is too far away to justify buying a plane ticket back for only a week (or you just really don’t want to spend your break hanging out with your little brother), or your friends are all going on fun trips out of town that for whatever reason didn’t work out for you. You’re spending spring break in LA, and you have no idea what to do with your time that doesn’t include banging your head against the wall from absolute boredom. Trust me, I get it. But there are loads of fun things you can do if you’re staying in town during spring break. As USC students, we’re a little desensitized to the glamour and glory of Los Angeles. City of Angels? Yeah, yeah. Been there, studied there. But remember, LA is actually a spring break destination for other students across the country. So, if you’re thinking there’s nothing to do: think again…
Bigs and Littles: Meet Mahima from USC Helenes
By: Joy Ofodu ‘18
USC Helenes is a sisterhood of passionate and compassionate women who are driven to make a change. We aim to set an example of kindness, positivity, and poise, on and off the university campus, by serving our school and various non-profit organizations in Los Angeles.
Bigs and Littles: Meet Zach and Sydney from Delta Kappa Alpha
By: Joy Ofodu ‘18
Delta Kappa Alpha is a coeducational professional cinema fraternity meant to foster lifelong character, collaborative and creative storytelling, ethical and productive business practices, philanthropic action, and fraternal bonds by and between students of the cinematic arts.
Why College Students Should Write Poetry
By: Lilly Kate Diaz ‘20
In the words of John Keating (played by Robin Williams) from Dead Poets’ Society. Okay, so yes – I am a little biased when it comes to poetry because I, myself, am a poet. But in this post, I’m going to tell you why college students (and honestly, everyone) should write poetry.
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.
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 Alexis!
By: Alexis Peters ‘20
Hey peeps! I’m Alexis (or Lexi or Lex or whatever floats your boat, really) and I’m very excited to be able to share my escapades as a USC student with you all! When I tell someone my major, usually the first question I get is: “So, like, what is that?” I guess I understand since Narrative Studies isn’t something you hear everyday, nor is it one single discipline. Being a Narrative Studies major means that I love telling stories.
Meet Natalia
By: Natalia Wurst ‘21
Hey guys, my name is Natalia. I’m a (mildly confused) freshman studying psychology but also thinking about double-majoring in neuroscience and minoring in law and public policy and also going to law school after graduation - so who even knows what’s up at this point. I’ll try to sprinkle in some fun facts into this intro post so it doesn’t sound like I’m just regurgitating my resume at you and hoping you’ll think I’m cool.
Creating Confidence: Muchacha LA
By: Amy Wang ‘21
Muchacha Los Angeles all started when a girl with a hobby was given a class project assignment. Established in July 2017, Muchacha Los Angeles was first an ETSY shop project that freshman Danielle Boyce decided to turn into a company and business. She explains, “It evolved from my side hobby to my main hustle.”
Meet Maddie
By: Maddie Walsh ‘20
I am an International Relations major, and recently added a double minor in Spanish and Communications Design. Outside of class,I have participated in an undergraduate research team focused on foreign affairs, and am currently a junior correspondent with USC’s student run publication Glimpse from the Globe, which allows me to publish analytical articles online.
Durag Day at USC
By: Joy Ofodu ‘18
Inspired by similar Durag Day events at colleges like Morehouse and UT Austin, student members of USC’s Black Student Assembly & friends set a new tradition in Troy: the first day in which undergraduate students allied to comfortably and proudly debut their nighttime stylings under the LA sun.
Coming 360 - What I Wish I Knew as a Freshman
By: Joy Ofodu ‘18
I’m about to graduate from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in Communication and Minors in Spanish and Marketing. It’s a feeling that is equally unreal and the realest thing I can conceive. Freshman Me came in with a rough plan and a lot of hope. Senior Me is leaving as an employed graduate of three academic schools. If I could go back in time and give her some pointers, here’s what I’d offer:
Productivity Tips and Quotes to Kickoff Your Spring Semester
By: Ellice Ellis ‘18
If you’re struggling to find the motivation to get things done, you’re not alone. These days I dread starting my homework, doing a reading or even waking up for class because it forces me to face the fact that there is work to be done. Here are a few motivational tips and quotes to get you out of bed and hopefully in Leavey (or your preferred study room).
Latinx Student Empowerment Conference
By: Lilly Kate Diaz ‘20
Hi, all! I hope these first three weeks have been going well for you all and I wish you the best throughout the next several weeks! I wanted to write this post about a great experience I had this past weekend with El Centro Chicano. This past Sunday, on January 21st, 2018, I went to El Centro Chicano’s Latinx Student Empowerment Conference. This conference aimed to support the research, academic success, and social justice activism of USC students. Conferences such as these, and the overall organization, are open to current USC students - both undergraduate and graduate - and welcome new spring admits! They welcome & encourage USC Alumni to attend these conferences! And if I’m being completely honest…It was the best thing I have ever attended. The conference started off with a special guest speaker, Cristela Alonzo, comedian, actress, writer, and overall amazing human being.