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 Favorite Classes I've Taken at USC as a Graduating Senior
Here’s a roundup of my favorite courses I’ve taken at USC, as a (December) graduating cognitive science major.
TAKE ELECTIVE CLASSES: Here are some I highly recommend!
By: Nancy Aguilar ‘22
Have extra space in your schedule? Wondering what fun classes USC has to offer? This is the article for you! This is a guide to the extracurricular courses that were my favorite over the years.
10 Tips For Succeeding in a Different Time Zone
By: Ngai Yeung ‘23
I never expected “15 hour time difference” to be an issue when I first started college; but here I am, just six months into my first year facing a most bizarre academic challenge. After trying out different methods of adjusting for a month, I’ve compiled the following list of tips for succeeding in different time zones – I hope these will help you as much as they have helped me.
Is a Class Right for You?
By: Talia Walters ‘20
We are in the midst of the most exciting time of class registration during the semester: the three-week add/drop period. Over the next week and a half (decisions must be made by FRIDAY, JANUARY 31st), everyone is able to try out classes, switch out of and into new classes, and drop classes they don’t actually want to take. But sometimes, it’s hard to figure out if you should continue taking a class because you just don’t know what the best decision is. Now, I’ve been around the scheduling block a few times, and I’ve made my fair share of scheduling decisions down to the wire of the add/drop period. So, I’ve come to help and share my wonderful knowledge. Here are 8 questions you should ask yourself when deciding if a class is right for you:
Worthwhile 2-Unit Classes to Supplement your Schedule
By: Sophia Pei ‘22
Did you know that every semester you pay for up to 18 units with your tuition? Most students take 4 classes (16 units), but there are a bunch of fun 1 and 2 unit courses you could take to supplement your experience. The add/drop deadline is January 21, so go ahead and try out some classes. Keep reading for a list of worthwhile 1-2 unit courses!
When To Take A Class Pass/Fail
By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22
As the year begins to wind down and we make our plans for the next semester, you may or may not be considering taking a class Pass/Fail. While it is still pretty early in the decision-making process, it does not hurt to get a jump start in considering all your options. If you do not know what the Pass/Fail option is, you can read here to find out, but if you do and you are just not sure whether it is the right decision — keep on reading!
Reading Web Reg: A Visual Guide to USC’s Class Scheduling System
By: Talia Walters ‘20
As we’re all buckling down for finals season, sometimes we just need to take a break. And what better way to spend that break than to schedule your classes for next semester! We’re deep into registration season already, but as we get to the last students’ registration times, it might be helpful to look back and make sure we’re getting the most out of our lovely web registration system. If you’ve ever been unsure of how to best use Web Reg to your advantage, this is a step-by-step visual guide to getting the most out of USC’s Web Reg system.
Unique Minors at USC
By: Talia Walters ‘20
USC has hundreds of minors in almost every single school, and so sometimes it’s hard to find the right minor for you. There’s so many that it’s overwhelming to try to sift through all of the programs, and often, minors that are really interesting, cool, and unique get thrown to the wayside only because students don’t know about them. To try and combat this, I’ve curated a list of 16 unique and interesting minors (by my standards) below that I’ve never heard someone declare. As always, if you have any questions about if you have room for a minor or how you declare a minor, it’s best to stop by your major adviser’s office so they can…well…advise you in the right direction.
A Summer in the Arc Lab - Why it can be nice to work for yourself and others
By: Camila Grases ‘21
In the summer of 2017, someone on the third floor of The Ahmanson Center (ACB) pulled a chemical wash shower and left the building. As the building began to flood, many began to realize that USC’s priceless collection of artifacts contained in the Archeology Lab on the third floor of ACB was in danger. These artifacts, mostly ceramics, are highly sensitive to even the slightest change in humidity, let alone the gallons of water pouring out of the shower. This flood was threatening thousands of years of priceless objects. An emergency evacuation took place and the collection was moved to an external storage site for nearly two years. Finally, in March of 2019, the collection was returned home.
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.
How To Get The Classes You Want
By: Sophia Pei ‘22
Winter break flew by and here we are in the second week of Spring Semester. The add/drop deadline is fast approaching. Missed your registration? Didn’t get into the classes you want? Unhappy with the times of your lectures, labs or discussions? Here are some tips to get the classes and sections you want.