Campus Life

So if you’re feeling that familiar post-grad panic, I get it — I really do. But I also want to say: this open-endedness isn’t a failure. It’s potential. And that’s pretty exciting when you let yourself see it that way.  

Now, as a graduating senior, I have made some of my closest friends, landed a job in a city I have fallen in love with thanks to USC connections, become a blogger for the very platform that influenced my journey, and it all started because I chose to take the harder path.

If you’re earlier in your college journey, consider this a completely honest list of what I actually would’ve done differently (and a few things I’m really glad I got right).

So, for a couple of days, my dad and I traveled up north and explored the country some more. These are some hidden gem places in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

That’s how you have to think of college and the idea of a dream school. It’s burnt toast. If you didn’t get in, you weren’t meant to be there – the true test of who you are is making the best of somewhere you hadn’t really considered.

For anyone interested in going to Ireland next year for Spring Break, I’d highly recommend it. Ireland is a country rich with history, has a gorgeous countryside, and its people are some of the friendliest I’ve encountered — making the rain more than worth it. If you’re looking for a break from the typical tropical destinations, a colder vacation in Ireland may be in the cards for you next year.

ESA is a free-to-attend organization, run entirely by students, that’s committed to advocating for sustainability in the USC community. From clothing swaps to panels with special guests, attendees are constantly learning how they can live a more sustainable life.

Trojans of all kinds converge on the USC subreddit for advice, a chance to laugh, and share news. I’ve found it to be a place full of resources, something to quickly provide me with authentic information that would be difficult to find anywhere else.

Starting college can feel like stepping into an entirely new world, full of opportunities, challenges, and unknowns. When I first arrived at USC, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I quickly realized that the key to making the most of my experience was learning to say yes.

Studying abroad is often described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with adventure, personal growth, and unforgettable memories. But what people don’t always talk about is the culture shock that can come with it.

Now, let’s talk about the Trojan Heartbreakers. These are the friends who have been through it all, literally all of it. The ghosting, the late-night “wyd” messages, and the soul-crushing what-are-we-even-doing? Moments and of course their own “that was mean” moments. They’ve emerged from the wreckage with their dignity (or at least some of it) intact and their hearts just a little bit wiser.

Anthony and Avery are two good friends of mine, and also two friends I’ll unfortunately be losing soon due to early graduation. As juniors, we’d typically have one year left at USC. But Anthony’s graduating this spring, and Avery’s graduating in the fall. I had them tell me about the pros and cons of their unique experience.

Unless you are a morning person, an 8 AM class is probably not ideal. While it may not be your first choice, with the right approach and a few strategic habits, you can make the most of it. Instead of just trying to survive the early mornings, you can actually get the hang of managing them and make the most of it. So, here’s your ultimate guide to surviving your 8 AM class!

Whether hopping on the Tube, catching a bus, or taking a train beyond the city, knowing how to navigate London’s transport like a local can make your journey smoother and stress-free. Here are some key tips to help you master the system.

As some consider me to be a “film person” – which mainly stems from my parents showing me a lot of old movies when I was younger – people occasionally ask me for film recommendations. Additionally, since I was once in SCA, some of these are pretentious and annoying choices! You can add them to your Letterboxd and proceed to act better than everyone else, you have my blessing. 

London is an incredible city, but sometimes a quick getaway can be the perfect way to explore more of what the UK offers. Fortunately, there are plenty of charming towns, historic landmarks, and stunning countryside destinations within a short train ride from the capital. Here are some of the best day trips from London that you can reach in under two hours.

Looking for a more fulfilling way to procrastinate than doom scrolling? Luckily, USC provides free HBO Max (now just Max) specifically for these situations! Perfect for midterms or finals season when you’ve already cleaned your whole apartment/dorm, and now there’s nothing else to feasibly rationalize not working. As a professional procrastinator, here are some of my recommendations for shows to binge watch deep into the night and early morning.

Are you a pre-med student struggling to memorize anatomy terms? Do you read your notes but find it difficult to remember them when it’s time for the test? One tool that I’ve used all through college is Remnote. Remote is a note-taking software that automatically creates flashcards as you type. Remnote makes it easier for you to retain and recall information when it matters most—on test day.

Dreaming of a career in civil engineering where you’ll design sustainable cities, build essential infrastructure, and lead impactful projects? If you’re looking for a club that brings these ambitions to life, meet the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) at USC. In this Club Spotlight, I’ll dive into everything ASCE offers. Get ready for the inside scoop on how ASCE can launch your journey into civil engineering!

The Trojan legacy is deeply rooted in the prominence of the football team: gameday traditions, tailgating, and everything surrounding USC athletics. Established in 1888, USC Trojans football has claimed several national championships, 55 bowl appearances, and over 800 wins as of 2024. This football team made their first collegiate appearance in 1889, taking victory 40-0 against St. Vincent’s College. Today, all USC home football games take place at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, commissioned in 1921 as a tribute to veterans of World War I and is a site of 3 Summer Olympics.

Yes, I am majoring in sociology, but boy, do I love money as much as the next person pursuing computer science for that fat check. It is perhaps the very fact that I am pursuing a traditionally less lucrative major that I feel the need to throw myself into whatever opportunities possible to make the most of my grand fee to be at this school. 

You're walking on campus, it’s impossible not to notice the number of electric scooters. I’ve been to other colleges, and I really can’t say that this is a universal epidemic. Maybe it’s due to the number of free scooters handed out to student athletes at USC, but it is remarkable to see the sheer quantity on a campus that isn’t even half a square mile. So, since there are so many, here’s a little breakdown of the different types of scooter riders you may see around campus.

You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve woken up just minutes before my 8:00 a.m. class. After rushing through the essentials and stepping out of my dorm, that familiar sinking feeling hits me: I’m a good 15-minute walk from class. If I try to avoid showing up sweaty, it’s more like 20 minutes. Inevitably, I find myself walking in 10 minutes late, awkwardly squeezing into the only available seat right in the middle of the room, having all these eyes staring at my sweaty self.

For those who’ve tried Notion, physical planners, or just Google Calendar, sometimes it can be hard to choose and stick with a platform for that one-stop place for all your tasks. For me, since freshman year, I've created a google sheet listing out all of my assignments and deadlines for the semester and it's been a game changer. 

December is the month of changes—winter beginning (with 80 degrees weather, but so be it), grades coming to a close (scarier in the short-term than climate change), students returning home (although this is probably less exciting if your home is nearby) and the year coming to a close.

For most people, Sunday mornings are meant for rest and relaxation. But to a small subset of students at USC, including me, the start of the week means it’s time to put on a show. The students, identifiable by our instruments and matching T-shirts, are members of a club at USC called Remedy Through Music. This registered service organization, also called RTHM for short, is on a mission to bring live music to underserved communities here in southern Los Angeles. 

Finals season is upon us—sometimes, this means a few reflections, one big test and maybe an essay. But if you’re like me, this finals season is especially stressful (ten things to turn in during one week?!?) However, the dreaded finals season can be stressful no matter what you have to do if you aren’t taking care of yourself properly. I’m going to be talking about some tips that help me during finals.

As my first semester here at USC comes to an end, I’ll say that my experience here has been nothing short of both pleasant adventures and those much-needed learning curves. So, here is a list of things I’ve learned over my time here on campus.

Winter break is the perfect time to unwind, reflect on goals, and secure funding for your education. Here’s a list of scholarships to prioritize, sorted by deadline, so you can make the most of your break while working toward your academic and career dreams.

This past Halloween season, I discovered so many people close to me that were unaware of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This year, I worked on DFTC’s production of it as a lead Hair and Makeup artist, but this was far from the beginning of my obsession with the franchise. The campy, raunchy, music-filled show is an unforgettable experience each time.