Top 13 Haunted Places in LA
By: Camila Grases ‘21
Spooky season is officially here and whether you like it or not, it’s that time of the year where part of the fun is being scared. Worry not, whether you are looking for some relaxed fun with your friends or are genuinely looking to contact the spirits of the underworld, this list has everything for you.
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.
Talia’s Journey to USC
By: Talia Walters ‘20
After three finished years at USC, applying and deciding to come here feels like a distant memory. However, as I continue to trudge slowly through my senior year of college and as I see all of my friends in graduation caps announcing their future plans, I’m beginning to realize, much to my horror, that it might just be time to open those college apps again. In honor of a trying time for all of us, both high school and college seniors, I’ve been reflecting on my own journey to USC. I think my story’s a bit on the unique side, and I wanted to share it with everyone who might be worried about their upcoming applications or who might be regretting the commitment they made just a few weeks ago. Thus, I present: Talia’s Journey to USC.
US(re)Cycle or USCandal? My discoveries
By: Lindsey Hamilton ‘22
As bad as this sounds…I’m not gonna lie, I thought I was going to find a scandal…but didn’t! Read below to follow me through my journey- from skepticism to being a little bit proud- of learning about sustainability efforts at USC.
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.
The Socially-Anxious Freshman’s Guide to THRIVING
By: Lindsey Hamilton ‘22
The prospect of moving to an entirely new place and rebuilding your social circle from scratch is a pretty scary one, especially if social situations tend to stress you out. With that said, making new friends and putting yourself out there is one of the most rewarding experiences that college has to offer. Check out these tips for overcoming overthinking and making freshman year one to remember!
“I Can’t Stop Checking My Phone”: A Memoir
By: Lindsey Hamilton ‘22
“I would write a real memoir, but I’m too busy documenting my life on Snapchat,” and other symptoms of phone addition (w/ helpful tips on how to STOP). Nomophobia. While it’s not quite a real word yet, it describes a very real and very scary trend: the fear of being without a mobile device.vAnd chances are, you have it. Good news? You’re not alone. Bad news? Yes, it really is that common.
I Finally Tried One of Those Electric Scooters
By: Alexis M Peters ‘20
Yes, I did it. I gathered my courage and used one of those electric scooters that have been spreading like the sickness that’s been going around lately. I mean they’re everywhere. When they first popped up, I figured they’d never catch on. It seemed too dangerous, too expensive, too inconvenient. Being from Chicago, I sort of forgot that an electric scooter business could actually be quite profitable: there’s no snow in LA. And living at USC, I’ve realized that certain distances are too far to walk, too close to Uber, and too far to Fryft. But I put off trying those scooters for so long. To be honest I was terrified. I had never stood on a motorized board of any kind, and I was almost certain I would fall on my butt. Or worse: my head. (They tell you to wear a helmet, but hello, I didn’t want to look like a complete dork. [Especially when there are ten-year-olds out here doing wheelies on these things!… I digress.]) Anyway, I finally hopped on one of those scooter-things because I am an avid movie goer and was spending entirely too much money on Lyfts to and from LA Live. It’s about 1.8 miles away, which took me about 14 minutes by scooter. So: to Lime or not to Lime?
USC Style: Daily Campus Fashion
By: Karla Leung ‘22
When walking to class or wandering around campus, I quickly realized how unique the outfits and styles of USC students are; we have everything from Balenciaga sneakers to thrift store finds. Wanting to showcase what some of the more fashion-conscious people on campus wear, I walked around campus with a camera and a pad of paper on the hunt for my favorite outfits.
“We have a long way to go, but we have hope.” — Bill Nye
Highlights from “The Changing Climate: A Conversation With Bill Nye”
By: Lindsey Hamilton ‘22
Cries of “Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill!” rang through Bovard as Bill Nye the Science Guy himself walked onto the stage of the eager auditorium last Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019. You could tell that at once, every student in the audience had been momentarily transported back in time to their elementary and middle school science classes, a carefree place where no one knew about organic chemistry or linear algebra. With videos both old and new, Mr. Nye has been a powerful force in making science education accessible to youth and adults alike, and has been a prominent voice in talks about climate change.
Save the Climate and BISC-499!
By: Sophia Pei ‘22
Stressed out because you aren’t doing anything productive this summer? Want to study abroad in China? Want to do research on climate change and its impact on the ocean? Check out USC’s Problems Without Passports course BISC-499: Our Future Changing Ocean. Due to a recent last-minute student dropout, we need at least one more student for this course to continue. As someone who is really passionate about environmental conservation, I would really love for this course to continue. If you’re interested please keep reading!
Found in Translation: The Value of Learning Languages @USC
Talk ~literally anything but English~ to me ;)
By: Lindsey Hamilton ‘22
Fact #1: Only about 20% of the world’s population speaks English.
Fact #2: That means if you only speak English, you can’t speak to 80% of the people on Earth.
Fact #3: It’s a little tricky to treat these people as equals and learn from them if we can’t even talk to them.
Fact #4: That’s an issue.
How USC Should Improve the Dining Halls
By: Natalie Oganesyan ‘22
After having the privilege of a full meal plan with unlimited swipes each semester, I can say without a doubt that the dining halls were vital to my survival as a college student. EVK, especially, has a special place in my heart for nighttime munchies and all my ill-timed snack and coffee breaks. However, there’s no denying that some things need to be updated or improved.
Managing Your Time: Learning to Say No and When to Say Yes
By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22
Simply put, saying “no” is not always easy. When being invited to things we can find ourselves constantly saying “yes” not because we actually want to go, but because we feel obligated or simply don’t think about saying how we really feel. It is important to value your time and know that you do not have to go to every single thing you are asked to be at. If you mindlessly agree to go to every event, party, or hang-out that comes your way you’ll find yourself feeling drained, lost, and scrunched for time. On the other hand, if you stubbornly resist to go out or do anything at all, spending all your time holed in one spot, you’ll miss out on so many great opportunities to meet new people and expand your horizons. What it really boils down to is: when should you say “yes" and when should you say “no”?
7 Things USC Transfer Students Know to Be True
By: Alexis M Peters ‘20
As told by a USC transfer student:
Combining Conspiracy and Philanthropy with The Rabbit Hole Club
By: Antonia Le ‘22
When many people think of conspiracy theories and conspiracy theorists, it’s likely that they think of some forty-year-old guy, still living on his parents’ basement, posting about how lizards are controlling the world on websites such as 4chan or Reddit. However, this image can be as far from reality as the lizard people conspiracy theory is. In fact, at USC, the faces behind the conspiracy theories are people just like you and me. Meet The Rabbit Hole Club. Started this semester, this club meets every Wednesday in VKC 259 in order to debate conspiracy theories, have a good time, and figure out how to do some good in the world.
“Wait, was that USC?”: Movies & TV Shows Filmed on USC Campus
By: Karla Leung ‘22
If you watch enough television and see enough movies, it’s likely that you’ve seen a scene filmed on USC’s campus without even knowing it. Here are a few of the most notable films and TV series filmed on campus!
An Open Letter to USC
By: Talia Walters ‘20
Dear USC, I love you, but we’ve got some things we need to talk about.
Why Scooters are the Best Way to Get Around USC
By: Antonia Le ‘22
I never thought I’d be kind of person to ride around USC on a scooter. In fact, during my first semester at USC, I walked to every class. I was a transportation purist, intent on achieving my daily 10,000 steps. Everything changed when I registered for classes for the spring semester. Against my best intentions, I found myself having a class in Taper Hall ten minutes after my class in Kaprielian Hall ended. According to Google Maps, it takes 11-13 minutes to make the trek, and that’s without anything going wrong. How was I supposed to get from KAP to THH in ten minutes? So, not wanting to be late for class every day, I decided to get a scooter. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made since coming to USC. In fact, I believe that scooters are the best way to get around campus.
24th Annual Festival of Books at USC
By: Alexis M Peters ‘20
ATTENTION BOOK LOVERS EVERYWHERE: It’s that time of the year again! The time when the sun is hot and the books are hotter! You guessed it! It’s the 24th annual LA Times Festival of Books! You may have wondered what all those white tents popping up across campus were for. Well, everyone is gearing up for what’s sure to be an amazing fun-filled literary weekend. The LA Times Festival of Books is huge 2-day extravaganza; it’s the world’s largest literary festival, all right on USC’s campus! There will be panels featuring a plethora of authors and writers, book signings, pop up book shops, musical performances, and the celebration of all things bookish!