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, if you’re offered a job in another state or one that demands excessive overtime, take a moment to step back. Make a list of your negotiables and non-negotiables, and consider whether the job is truly right for you. I’ve made the mistake of pushing myself out of my comfort zone relentlessly for the sake of a job. While growth often comes from challenges, it’s important to recognize when the sacrifices just aren’t worth it. Your life should reflect all the things that matter to you, not just your career.

Fall semester typically brings an exciting aura into the atmosphere: tailgating, the smell of the street hotdogs after a football game, waiting in long lines at Dulce, joining new clubs, etc. But for those who embarked on a full-time Summer internship, going back to school brings a weird mix of feelings. During the last week of my Summer internship, my team gave me words of wisdom for approaching my senior year like, “have fun,” “live in the moment,” “treasure it!” I took these pieces of advice to heart but internally made a duh face. Of course, I’ll enjoy going back.

As a senior only weeks away from graduation, I am proud of myself for getting through four rigorous years at USC. At this point in my life, I should feel relaxed and happy because I’ve made it, but let me tell you, that could not be further from the truth. With graduation comes the extensive graduation prep, which no one warns you about! And if they do, trust me it’s way more expensive and time consuming than you think it is. I’m here to give you a rundown of all the things you should do and when to start in your spring semester as a senior so you don’t end up like me (pictureless and dressless three weeks away from grad!)

By: Ngai Yeung ‘23

I’m graduating in a month and I have no idea how to process the fact. What should us graduating seniors know about the next stage of life and how has our college experience prepared us for that? I talked to a handful of recent USC and Trojan360 grads to find out.

By: Talia Walters ‘20

I’m not usually a sentimental person, but considering the current situation, I think it calls for a little bit of sentimentality and a short reflection of my 4 years at USC.

By: Lauren Brose ’15

I interviewed for this blogging position before the Fall 2014 semester started. At that time, Trojans 360 wasn’t even called Trojans 360 — Andrea, our supervisor, was thinking of names as she was mapping out our initiatives. Before there were a team of writers it was only me and Kelly. Andrea was discussing with USC Student Affairs about forming a new lifestyle blog that discussed topics pertinent to the college experience. More importantly, we were asked to shed light on the USC experience. This is where Kelly and I came in. We hoped that by incorporating our stories to these topics, students will be able to resonate with what we had to say. Although we all at times may feel small in a student body as large as USC’s, it’s important to understand you’re never alone. I truly hope that our content has accomplished what we aimed to do!