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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My London Trojan Transfer Plan Experience
When I was a senior in high school, USC was my dream school. It had been a part of my life for as long as I could remember since so many of my family members were alumni. Unfortunately, I was rejected, and it was a tough blow. It took me some time to recover from that disappointment, but I soon realized that attending USC could still be within reach when I learned about the Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP). At the time, TTP was offered to a select group of students, giving us the opportunity to study at one of five USC-accredited universities in Europe.
I Want to Change My Major…Now What?
By: Hannah Skinner ‘23
Changing your major is one of the many daunting and explorative aspects of college, but it’s not as uncommon as you think it might be. In fact, I changed mine twice! If you’re reading this, you’ve probably decided to change your major, but how does the process work? Here’s a step by step guide to embarking on a new academic journey.
My Trojan Transfer Experience: Community College to USC with the Trojan Transfer Plan
By: Ela Rybak ‘25
My desire to attend USC never dwindled during my time in community college, which is why I stayed so hopeful and continued on my path toward gaining admission. Though receiving the first rejection was difficult, the journey of the Trojan Transfer Plan was rewarding in itself. It offered me my first bit of USC community when I reached out to fellow prospective transfer students via the Trojan Transfer Program Instagram account and ended up meeting one of my current best friends.
Should I join Freshman Science Honors and Thematic Option?
By: Nathan Kim ‘24
As an incoming freshman, you might’ve received an email or letter, inviting you to join a couple of programs called Freshman Science Honors (FSH), only for natural science majors, or Thematic Option (TO). One year ago, I was in the same shoes, wondering if FSH and TO were worth it, and if you’re like me, a flurry of questions probably flooded your mind on what these programs exactly were and their various benefits and drawbacks. Although there are posts online talking about these programs, I wanted to give a complete, personal take on them as I am a part of both. Quick disclaimer: I took these classes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Freshman Dorm Guide
By: Claire Wong ‘23
It’s housing season and there are so many options! There are so many to chose from and so many different styles. Here is a guide to all the reputations, amenities, and everything you need to know about each freshman dorm!
How I Found My Freshman Year Roommate
By: Claire Wong ‘23
My roommate and I are ACTUALLY best friends. Yes, it is pretty miraculous. We may be a rare case, but here are some things I did to find my roommate!
Why you Should Pick USC: Honest Review
By: Sophia Pei ‘22
Commitment day is coming around the corner. While USC has been in the media for less delectable reasons recently, it truly is an amazing school. After spending a few nights at Berkeley, UCSC, UCLA as well as some privates on the east coast, I’ve decided that USC is the place for me. Here are some reasons why I appreciate USC (as well some things I would like to change).
Reflections on Freshman Year
By: Natalie Oganesyan ‘22
Now that freshman year is winding down to an end, I want to take a minute to reflect. The transition from high school to college is unique — it’s a time of intense change, exploration, discovery, and growth. If you had an experience that was anything like mine, it may have resembled Kylie’s 2016 resolutions.
Spring Admits - What to do your Fall Semester!
By: Camila Grases ‘21
It’s always exciting to receive your acceptance letter in the mail, but sometimes, it can be overwhelming when you find yourself with an unplanned free semester. So what are your options for the fall semester? Fortunately, USC provides plenty of options for those students.
6 Things to Consider When Declaring a Minor
By: Alexis M Peters ‘20
It’s my junior year at USC, and I have decided to declare a minor. You can do it too! Sometimes it feels like it’s way too late to change your mind. It feels like it’s way too late to try something new or discover a new passion. I know that feeling. I thought I was too old to wander into new academic territory; after all, I’m a junior, and I’m adding a completely new minor to my academic plan. Maybe there’s a minor you’ve been eyeing or a double major you’re considering, but you wonder if it’s too late, or too much work, or too difficult. First of all, I would recommend that everyone should look into a minor, just because there are so many cool things to study, especially at USC, and your college years are the perfect opportunity to explore your passions and interests. Second, if you are considering adding a minor, there are six things you should take into account:
Future Trojans: Here’s Why You Should Take a Freshman Seminar
By: Antonia Le ‘22
I’m going to keep it real with you: I had no idea what a freshman seminar (not to be confused with a mandatory GESM) was until a flyer was handed to me during orientation before my first semester at USC. I had planned out my four years at USC before I had even made my first tuition deposit, and nowhere in my four-year-plan did I leave a spot for a freshman seminar. That is, until a piece of paper landed in front of me telling me that there existed a 2-unit class at USC called “Writing to be Read.”
Six Steps to a Perfect Schedule
By: Lindsey Hamilton ‘22
Trying to get all of your classes — the right courses and the right time with the right teacher — can sometimes feel like a ferocious free-for-all. But with patience and a little strategy, figuring out next semester’s schedule should feel less like a mad dash and more like a fun puzzle. (Not even an exaggeration — I’m not the only one who finds planning fun…right?) Here are the top tips to finessing fall semester and taking another step towards that degree.