UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
STUDENT BLOG
-
![]()
Navigating Your First Year as a USC Trojan
by Lanie Brice
-
![]()
Navigating Your First Year as a Spring Admit
by Lanie Brice
-
![]()
How to Balance Your Social Life During Finals
by Donal Buckley
-
![]()
Study Tips and Habits to Get Through Finals Season
by Lauren Liang
looking for a specific read?
Staying or Leaving After Graduation: Los Angeles vs Chicago
The end of the semester is looming. For seniors, job offers — or lack thereof — are only adding to the stress of a life-changing couple of months. As USC students, we have the privilege of studying in one of the world’s most renowned cities. But do students want to stay in LA after they graduate?
Learning to Love My New City: Moving to LA
My first year at USC was a hazy blur. The highs were high and the lows were low, to say the least. My biggest struggle was adjusting to life in a place very different from my small Illinois hometown. My classes at USC were difficult, and there was immense pressure to fit in. There were so many moments that year when I would go out to a social event – be it a party, club, or wherever everyone else was going – and leave the night feeling horrible about myself. Though I wasn’t able to admit it at the time, I was forcing myself to be someone I simply wasn’t. While I was changing and growing as a product of my new environment, the positive aspects were getting lost behind the mask I felt I had to present to those around me.
Dress Warm for Less: The Best Secondhand Clothing Shops in LA
By: Ani Antonyan ‘24
Over the last few weeks, LA has been waffling through unpredictable and uncharacteristic weather. Since the cold is much more bearable when you can dress practically, here’s my recommendations on how to stay warm for less.
8 pieces of advice for Graduate Students at USC
By: Joshen Mantai ‘24 (USC Student Life Guest Blogger)
When I first got to USC as a graduate student at Annenberg, I didn’t know what to expect for my experience, especially at a university in the middle of such a big city. Would it be like my undergraduate experience at UC Santa Barbara, or did I have to prepare myself for a whole new environment with a separate identity? So, for any incoming or current graduate students, I’m sharing what I’ve learned through my first semester experience so far.
Missing Connections
By: Dara Udobong ‘23
Its already been more than 2 months since our return to campus, but honestly, it still feels surreal to be back. With a year and a half away from the great Tommy Trojan himself, 2 graduating classes fresh out of high school, and a new-found appreciation for life itself, everyone seems to be diving headfirst into getting the college experience.
Making the Most of It
By: Dara Udobong ‘23
I started my USC journey back in Fall 2019. I had almost no idea what to expect: I’d only been to LA once before, barely knew if I was even ready to do this whole school thing again (after the most restful gap-year experience ever), and knew almost no one that was starting at USC in my grade. People from my high school rarely (if ever) came all the way out to the West Coast simply because it’s too far away from home, so I already felt like a fish out of water from the jump.
7 Reasons You Should Go Thrifting
By: Karla Leung ‘22
If you’re a broke college student who wants to shop, thrift stores are the way to go. Not only can you find super cool items, but you can save both money and the environment.
No Planning Required: Spontaneous Fall Break Day Trips
By: Sophia Pei ‘22
If you hadn’t heard already, USC is implementing fall break this year! Essentially, we have a 4 day weekend starting on Thursday Oct. 17th. Here are some fun last-minute ideas for fall break. Don’t like planning outings? No worries, I’ve done the planning for you! I’ve listed four days worth of day trips to different locations in LA. For each destination, I’ve covered the basics of transportation, my favorite food places (one meal, one dessert/snack), and a fun activity. Keep reading for a detailed itinerary.
Exposing the Expo Line... a few hidden gems you probably didn’t know about
By: Lindsey Hamilton ‘22
This is a great time to be alive. No, not because of modern technology or vaccines or Bird scooters. The Expo line running from downtown to Santa Monica has connected the beach to the city since May of 2016. That makes it only the third ―the third!― year that USC students have been able to take advantage of all of the fun destinations now available to us. It’s a great time to be alive. But there’s a lot of city in between the beach and downtown. Here’s what I found…
Campus Safety: Earthquake Preparedness
By: Karla Leung ‘22
After the recent summer earthquakes — a 6.4 and later a 7.1 magnitude only 150 miles away from Los Angeles — earthquakes have become an even more pressing issue in California. Throughout the Los Angeles area, the quake and its aftershocks were felt and California residents have been increasingly concerned of impending earthquakes in the future. If you’re from out of state and have never experienced the threat of an earthquake, it’s important to be aware of the steps to take in case one hits during your time at USC.
How to Metro 101
By: Sophia Pei ‘22
USC is fortunate enough to have 3 Metro stops near USC’s main campus! For $1.75 you’re able to go to DTLA or Santa Monica and everywhere in between. Here are some tips from an LA local about the Metro Expo line.
UPDATED: Best (and Most Unusual) Ice Cream in LA
By: Sophia Pei ‘22
It’s that time of year! School is starting, summer is coming to an end. You may believe you’ve escaped the worst of the heat, but September only brings more of that dry, signature LA heat. Whether you’re hoping to explore LA with friends, looking for ideas for a date, or simply love ice cream, here are some of my favorite ice cream stores in LA that are easily accessible by public transport. This list is not for the weak of heart, all these stores are known for their unique (and unconventional) flavors so explore with an open mind!