When volunteering you have the opportunity to empower and improve communities, meet new people, discover new causes and passions, and much more. In a city as big as Los Angeles, there’s always events where you can lend a hand, and there are tons of organizations to work with on a regular basis. However, with all of these options, it can be overwhelming to start a volunteer search, especially with a busy student schedule.  My suggestion is to start finding opportunities right here on-campus. 

Putting anything in a vending machine instantly makes it more interesting, so the new gold vending machine sitting outside of Trader Joe’s up against the elevator bank immediately caught my eye. Actually a revival of a project started in 2019, the USC Pharmacy and USC Student Health have installed a “wellness-to-go” vending machine in the USC Village to give students 24/7 access to over the counter medication.

The thought of owning a pet during your college career has probably crossed your mind once or twice. Having a little, cuddly friend sitting on your lap while you're studying or having a pet to come home to after a long day of classes seems like the perfect way to beat the isolation of finals season. However, with the hustle and bustle of school and the never ending assignments, owning a pet can seem impossible.

Here’s a roundup of my favorite courses I’ve taken at USC, as a (December) graduating cognitive science major.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to direct a film – especially a documentary? I’m here to tell you all about my experience taking CTPR 474: Documentary Production and the process of creating a 15-minute short documentary over the course of a semester.

I got the chance to speak with three current and former RAs to learn about their experiences being RAs at USC and to hopefully help prospective RAs make more informed decisions about applying to be one. The RA Application for the 2024-2025 school year opens on November 15 and is open through January 7.

As the spooky season of Halloween and the rumble of football season come to a close, a much scarier and daunting season looms over us – finals season. Amid the stress and late-night cramming, the changing climate outdoors can further challenge our well being. Through the hustle and bustle of the end of the semester, it is really easy to lose sight of our health and put our bodies under an excessive amount of stress. To make sure you don’t get sick at this critical time, I’ve compiled a few simple tips to help you prevent getting sick and staying healthy this final season!

Rounding out the whirlwind of fall break on a dreamy Sunday afternoon, a trio of music industry students, Girls Who Cry, hosted, For the Girls, Gays and Theys charity concert at Tommy’s Place.

I think many people can relate to the idea that a single thing about them ends up becoming their defining trait. Before coming to USC, for me, that was having a twin brother. Growing up, my twin, Cathal, and I used to do practically everything together. We’d spend week-long stints at summer camps together, we became volunteers for the zoo together, and of course, would drive to school together every day. Everywhere I went, there was another person with me.

One of USC’s greatest benefits is that virtually any field of study that piques your interest is available for you to pursue in greater detail. While having access to so many different opportunities is exciting, it can also be challenging to narrow down and choose what discipline best suits you. Conversations with your peers and gaining insight from other students can help narrow down your search. That's why I’m here to share with you why I chose to minor in Documentary at SCA and specialize in Web Development at Viterbi!

I’ve always wanted to live alone. Don’t get me wrong, housemates and the experience of living with friends is a crucial part of the college experience. From living in a small, shared room in a college dorm to a big party house, I’ve lived just about every way a college student can. I loved every bit of it too. However, I am a person who loves her own space and the freedom of living on her own schedule. Because of that, I decided to live alone in a studio apartment for my senior year.

A new semester means new ways to get involved with one (or many) of USC’s numerous student organizations. A walk down Trousdale during the semesterly Involvement Fair highlights how there is no shortage of opportunities. While there are many social clubs––clubs that don’t require an application to be accepted––there are an equal number of pre-professional and application based clubs.