UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
STUDENT BLOG
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Navigating Your First Year as a USC Trojan
by Lanie Brice
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Navigating Your First Year as a Spring Admit
by Lanie Brice
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How to Balance Your Social Life During Finals
by Donal Buckley
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Study Tips and Habits to Get Through Finals Season
by Lauren Liang
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How to Stay Motivated while Job-Hunting
By: Antonia Le ‘22
I am a senior this year, and if my finals go well, I will officially graduate from USC this December. Sometimes, it’s fun to think about life beyond academia, but mostly, I’m just stressed out. Unlike many of my peers in the class of 2022, I haven’t secured a full-time role for after graduation. I’ve done countless interviews and written so many cover letters, but nobody has thrown me a bone yet. As I write this, I am thinking about how I have to do four interviews next week, and I would be lying if I said that I was particularly excited.
How I Started My Own Podcast
By: Antonia Le ‘22
I’ve had a lot of time to kill over the past few Zoom semesters, so I started listening to a lot of podcasts. Podcasts are perfect for long walks around campus, running errands at Target, and my all-too-dreaded weekly chores.
As an avid podcast listener, I started thinking: “Why can’t I start my own thing?”. I’d like to say that I had a noble reason for starting a podcast. Truthfully, though, I just wanted to see if I could do it…and I did. With only four episodes out, I wouldn’t consider myself an expert, but I hope talking about my own experiences can show people that you don’t have to create something groundbreaking to have a lot of fun and learn a lot!
Club Spotlight at USC: SCAPE
By: Antonia Le ‘22
For students both newly arriving at USC or returning for another semester, finding a new organization to join can be overwhelming. On campus, tables used to line Trousdale as clubs competed for the attention of students just trying to get from one class to another. Over the course of the pandemic, the process of recruitment has shifted to Zoom meetings, where clubs not only had to compete with one another but also the feeling of Zoom fatigue.
Tips For Balancing a Virtual Internship With School
By: Antonia Le ‘22
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, everything has gone virtual, even the good old internship. With nowhere else to go and nothing to do, I spent most of my Fall semester doing virtual work in conjunction on top of my academic studies. So, here are some quick tips for balancing a full-time course load with a part-time internship:
Are Unpaid Internships Worth It?
By: Antonia Le ‘22
For starters, if you’re looking for a simple “Yes” or “No” question, I’m suggesting that you ask literally anybody else. As with every question related to the workforce, answering this question is complicated, and I know that the answer is different for every field.
Guide to Seeking Mental Health Care at USC Student Health
By: Antonia Le’ 22
It’s always daunting trying to reach out and seek mental health care. Most people have heard some criticism of USC Student Health Center, and that might scare them off from seeking the treatment that they need. However, asking for help shouldn’t be scary, and the process of seeking help should be transparent and known to all. So, if you want to know more about mental health care at USC and what you can do to make your life better, read on!
My Favorite Places to Nap on Campus
By: Antonia Le ‘22
Though I thought that I had outgrown nap-time when I left kindergarten, the truth is that I savor my naps more than ever now that I’m a second-year college student. I’ve even made a habit of taking naps in between my classes, in libraries, or in classroom buildings when I can’t get back to my dorm. If you’re looking for a place to sleep during a temporary study break this finals season (or you simply don’t want to go back to your dorm), here’s the list for you! Read below to learn more about my favorite nap spaces on campus.
Using Your Winter Break for a Great Spring Semester
By: Antonia Le ‘22
This year, USC’s winter break lasts from December 19 to January 12, which gives students just under a month to rest, relax, and recharge before getting back on the grind. However, I know that I’d hate myself if January 12 came and I spent my entire break being unproductive. If you’re looking for something to do over winter break that will help you start the Spring 2020 semester on a good note, read onward for some tips that might help you!
Six Ways to Beat Burnout
By: Antonia Le ‘22
As college students, it’s inevitable for us to experience burnout. Whether you’ve committed to too many clubs to this semester or your professors have decided that it makes sense for there to be multiple “midterms” for one class (or both), you’re going to hit your breaking point eventually. Though the grind never stops, there are some ways that you can find a way to slow down and take care of yourself.
Life Lessons from Jameela Jamil’s Talk at USC
By: Antonia Le ‘22
On October 28, actress and activist Jameela Jamil came to USC and spoke at Bovard Auditorium in a discussion moderated by Dr. Stacy Smith, of USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Jamil’s talk at USC was sponsored by USC’s very own SAGE (Student Assembly for Gender Empowerment), working with USG, USC Speakers Committee, ISA, and SCIA. During the event, Jamil spoke about self-love, being an activist, and staying strong in the face of criticism and adversity. If you had to miss the event, here are some bits of wisdom from Jamil that should be heard by everyone.
USC’s “Let’s Talk” Program -- An Overview
By: Antonia Le ‘22
As college students, one of the hardest things for us to do is to take care of our mental health. With midterm season still in full swing for some, while social and extra-curricular responsibilities continue to exist, it’s difficult to find time to sit down and ask yourself, “Am I okay?”. If the answer is no, then it’s near impossible to start making efforts to improve one’s own mental health. I’ve struggled with mental health issues all throughout high school and through my freshman year of college, and for the longest time, I was good at bottling up my feelings and pushing through. However, this semester, I’m taking a harder course load than ever, and I couldn’t deny my own feelings. I needed to talk to someone who would understand how to help me. As a result, I made the trek over to STU 422, where I decided to talk to a counselor for the first time in my entire life.
My Experience in CTWR 431, and Why Everyone Should Take an SCA Class
By: Antonia Le ‘22
I would be lying if I said that I didn’t think about USC’s School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) while trying to decide which college to go to. While I am currently an Applied Math major, I’ve always loved movies and TV, and I’ve always dreamed of taking a class from one of the best film schools in the nation. I’ve made a point to take at least one SCA class a year, and I think that you should too!