Navigating Your First Year as a Trojan: A Quick Guide for Your Freshman Fall + Tips from a Graduating Senior
by Lanie Brice ‘24
Congratulations to our newest Trojans on joining the family. I know you’re eager to get to campus, choose your dorms, and make shopping lists for the big move. Or maybe you’re just arriving in the Fall unsure of how to meet people or how to get to your classes; which dining hall has the best breakfast?
Don’t worry, here at Trojans360 we’ve got all your first year questions answered in more. Whether you’re making plans in May or aimlessly wandering around campus in August, we’ve got articles to help you through every step.
Before we get into the ultimate first year guide to USC, I want to offer you ten tips I wish I knew when I was starting college. Looking back a few weeks out from graduation, I’ve realized there’s a lot I learned the hard way or by watching friends navigate the challenges of college. We’re all on our own adventures, but hopefully these tips can help.
1. Try Everything First, Decide What You Like Later
You won’t know which classes, clubs, majors, friend groups, extracurriculars, or jobs are going to be the best part of your college experience when you’re first starting out. All you can do is put yourself out there and try. Visit the Involvement Fair to get to know the various campus clubs, add a class you’re excited about, and try to make connections with as many people as you can. Just because you attend one event doesn’t mean you have to go again, but it might lead to something great! Deciding what you don’t want to do is just as important, but you have to give yourself a place to start!
2. Explore LA
While there’s plenty to do on campus, the best parts of LA are beyond the campus walls. The Metro E Line, with a stop nearly on campus, can take you to both to the concrete jungle of Downtown and all the way to the beach. LA is such a huge, varied city which means there’s somewhere for everyone if you’re willing to go out and find it.
3. Make Friends Beyond Your Suitemates
Immediately clicking with your roommates is a huge blessing. Definitely take advantage of having a few built-in friends when you first get to campus. But stay open to new friendships as you go to your first classes and club meetings. There are tons of awesome people on campus who aren’t in your dorm, and you truly can never have too many friends in college.
4. Follow Everyone You Meet on Instagram
If you chat with someone before class starts, ask for their Instagram handle. This is an easy, low commitment way to start forming connections with your peers and makes it more likely that you’ll end up having another conversation. Start building your Trojan network early!
5. Make the Most of Your GEs
GEs can seem like speed bumps on the way to the awesome major classes you came to USC for, but if you’re open to it, the GE requirements might introduce you to a new interest you never would’ve discovered otherwise. I developed a love for Anthropology all thanks to a random GE! Try to make the most of these required categories by exploring a new field or indulging a current interest.
6. Keep an Open Mind
The biggest mistake I made going into college was thinking that I knew everything about myself and my life path. Do everything you can to chase your dreams, but also stay open to the possibility that your dreams might change. I know how scary that is, but the most rewarding moments of my college experience have come from admitting that I want something different than my original plan and pivoting.
7. Connect with your professors
Your professors are super cool people, so take advantage of their knowledge and expertise and attend office hours or support their talks and campus events. Whether you need some extra help, want to discuss career prospects, or are curious to learn more about a topic from lecture, office hours with your professor or TA can offer extremely valuable insight. Don’t be intimidated to stop by or ask for a meeting. Professors love when students are engaged and excited about the work they’re doing!
8. Bring a Piece of Home
Whether it’s your favorite family recipe, a sentimental stuffed animal, a framed photo, or a bracelet, having a small reminder of home that you can turn to when everything seems so new and overwhelming really helps. You’ll build your new life soon enough, but during this transition time, a bit of home can go a long way.
9. It’s Okay to Go Home
While some advise against going home or seeing family during your first semester, if you’re lucky enough to have that option, take it! This can be a hard time of transition, and just because you’re building a new life doesn’t mean you have to abandon your old one.
10. Embrace Unique LA Opportunities On and Off Campus
Whether you’re an entertainment industry major or are a future scientist, being in LA does come with some pretty cool perks if you’re a music or film fan. From being a seat filler at an award show to getting into movie screenings or talk show tapings to attending exclusive pop-up shops and concerts, LA is the center of the entertainment world. Make the time to set aside your textbooks and embrace these unique experiences!
The Ultimate First Year Guide to USC
Where Should I Live?
Freshman Dorm Reviews 2023
Now that you have your dorm assignment in your inbox, you’re probably anxious to know what to expect. Here’s the pros (and the honest cons) of each of USC’s dorm buildings so you know what to expect.
Before You Get to Campus
What to Bring (and What Not to Bring) to Your Freshman Dorm
Every Trojan made some packing mistakes when we first came to USC, and we want to help you avoid that if possible.
What’s in my Backpack?
What you packed in your high school backpack and what you’ll need for college are pretty different. If you’re not sure what to bring to your first day of classes, here’s a glimpse into one Trojan’s bag.
Get to Know Your New Home
A Self-Guided Tour to USC’s Campus
If you’re stepping foot on USC’s campus for the first time this spring or need a refresher after your first campus tour long ago, this self-guided, customizable, written tour of campus will help you get your bearings before your first day.
6 Things No One Tells You About USC
Sophomore Avery Thunder gets super real about what it’s actually like to be a USC student.
The Best Places to Take a Zoom Meeting On Campus
While the era of Zoom classes is thankfully behind us, you still might have a class unexpectedly move online or have to take a meeting from campus. Here’s the best spots to log on.
Underrated USC Campus Study Spots
As you settle into classes, you’ll want to try all the cool study spots. Here’s a few unique ideas to get you started with places to soak up silence and focus or the perfect spot to host your first group project meeting.
Getting Involved & Academics
Getting Involved at USC: A Survey of Clubs You Should Join
While it can sometimes be intimidating to jump into the social scene in the spring semester, there are so many clubs that are open to accepting new members year round. Here’s a look into a handful of USC’s many clubs to get a head start on getting involved.
Reading Web Reg: A Visual Guide to USC’s Class Scheduling System
Web Reg can be hard to navigate the first time you log in, so here’s a quick guide to understanding how USC’s class system works complete with screen shots.
Volunteer Opportunities for USC Students
One great way to give back and connect with your new community is through volunteering. Emily walks you through on-campus opportunities.
In Defense of the 8AM Class
My controversial opinion is that 8AM classes are actually the best. When you’re making your first schedule, consider my hot take before barring an 8AM from your schedule.
My Favorite Classes I’ve Taken at USC as a Graduating Senior
Not sure what to take? The best person to take class advice from is someone who’s taken them all. Here’s Lauren’s favorite classes.
Getting Involved in the Arts as a Non-Arts Major
Extracurriculars are an awesome part of college. Here’s some advice on how to tap into your creative side even if you’re not a Roski, SCA, or Thornton student.
Everything You Need to Know About USC + Food
Four Freshman Dining Hall Food Hacks
As a first year, you’ll be spending tons of time in the dining hall. While they have tons of great meals ready to go, here’s some unique ideas on how to use what’s in the dining hall to make exciting new meals.
A Guide to Campus Dining Halls
USC has so many dining halls that it can be hard to know where to spend your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. While I encourage you to eat your way through all of them, here’s a quick round-up of where to go for the best of each meal depending on your cravings.
Overnight Oats: The Perfect College Breakfast
If you’re worried about not having time to eat or space to make breakfast but know it’s the most important meal of the day, Hannah has the perfect answer: overnight oats. Here’s how she makes them with ingredients available on campus.
Balling on a Budget: Best $5 Cheap Eats in and Around USC
Kathryn gives you the real insider look at the food scene around USC if you want to find the hidden gem, easy meals that won’t hurt your wallet as much as some spots in the USC Village.
All The Feelings
What I Learned From My Freshman Year
From ways to prioritize self-care and intentional downtime to realizing that you still have so much time left to grow to tackling the involvement fair, Claire gives some seriously great advice on approaching your freshman year.
The Socially Anxious Freshman’s Guide to Thriving
Anxiety is a natural feeling in the face of so much change. If you’re an anxious person or just anxious about this transition, let this article address your worries and put them at ease.
Freshman Year: Expectations vs. Reality
From living off ramen noodles to absolutely crumbling under the workload, there’s a lot of stereotypes about college that aren’t so great. Luckily, Natalia is here with a reality check.
Five Pieces of Advice I’d Give My First Year Self
From a pre-med student coming from out of state, this article offers advice on having a smooth transition to USC, especially from an academic point of view.
Advice from a Second Semester Senior
Take it from a senior, there are amazing parts of USC that we’re all guilty of overlooking. There are just so many things to do on and around campus! But make sure you don’t miss out with this overview.
Miscellaneous
Books Every First Year College Student Should Read
Creative Writing major Emily has compiled her own list of required reading for incoming students to help you make the adjustment to university life.
A List of Discounts and Free Subscriptions as a USC Student
If we’re being honest, one of the best parts of being a college student are the deals. I’m personally going to be devastated when my Spotify student subscription ends next summer. Don’t miss out on the deals with this round-up.
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Trojans 360 is USC’s official student-run blog. Content created by students, for students
