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
looking for a specific read?
Academic Opportunities for Newly Admitted Freshmen
By: Ngai Yeung ‘23
Hello, prospective freshmen! First of all, congrats on being admitted! Whether you’re committed to USC or still weighing your options, consider applying to these outstanding opportunities and programs, some of which have deadlines this April well before school starts next August.
5 Lessons for My Freshman Year Self
By: Ellice Ellis ‘20
Here’s a secret about me— I’m a senior. And yes, I’m stressed about paying back student loans, finding a job after college and senioritis has consumed my entire being. Despite the beautiful mess that is the end of my college career, there is a multitude of experiences and lessons to be grateful for. So for my freshman, sophomores, and even juniors, here are some lessons you can pull from my college experience, and hopefully, you’ll come out on top.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A USC FRESHMAN
By: Sarah Ko ‘22
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a typical freshman at USC? Watch this video to find out!
How I Learned to Love Myself and USC After a Rough First Semester
By: Antonia Le ‘22
Trigger warnings for mentions of anxiety, depression, and suicide.
I’m still trying to process the fact that my freshman year at USC is almost over. I’m heading into my second round of finals, and the first final I have coming up is for my 400-level math class. Right now, I’m really hoping that this past year has been a dream, and tomorrow I’ll wake up as a high school senior who doesn’t have to take a Theory of Numbers final.
Things I Wish I Knew Before Transferring to USC
By: Alexis Peters ‘20
Transferring schools is a big deal when you’re in college. Starting all over again, changing states, losing friends, learning your way around a whole new campus: it can be pretty stressful. USC actually has a quite large transfer student population. So for all the transfers out there: remember you are not alone. I transferred from one four year university to another, so the structure of my college experience wasn’t too different, but the culture was something to get used to. Being a spring transfer student made it difficult to adjust to LA life, from finding my way around the city, making new friends, and joining clubs. And although I have definitely gotten into the swing of things now, looking back on my first semester at SC, I realize there are some things I wish I had known before transferring. So, here it is: 5 things I wish I knew before transferring to USC.
Everything You Should Know About Being a Spring Admit
By: Anna Lipscomb ‘19
If you were admitted into USC for the spring semester, you may be wondering what this means. I can relate - me and many other students at USC have been in your place. Here’s everything you should know about being a spring admit, and the reasons why I would make the same decision again.
How to stay updated on all things USC
By: Ayman Siraj ‘18
USC is a large school with over 44,000 students on campus. How does one keep up to date on what is happening on campus and off campus while trying to study all day and keep up with their Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram feeds? We have got a list for you:
Spring Admits: Next Stop, USC
By: Anna Lipscomb ‘19
Hello Spring Admits! I can’t believe you will be here in a few weeks. Right now, you’re probably excited and nervous, so here’s everything you should know about move in, Welcome Week, academics, clubs, food, and more!
How to Find the Right Club at USC for you
By: Kelly Kinas ‘16
So there you are. Watching the same show on Netflix for the twenty-third time. You want to do something but you don’t really know what so you just watch Netflix because you think there’s nothing else for you to do. Well, you’re just so lucky you ran into this blog post as you were scrolling through your Facebook feed because I am here to help. USC has some many opportunities to take advantage of but the real problem is trying to find out what they are and finding them, which is why you have us! A great way to fill up your free time, get involved on campus, help the community around USC, and get leadership experience is through clubs and on-campus organizations. I know. It sounds too good to be true but it isn’t!! Here are some tips for finding what club you belong with here at USC.
Ask A Trojan: Freshman Move-In (Tips, Tricks & Packing Lists)
By: Anna Lipscomb ‘19
Hello there! First of all, great question! Although I am not an international student, I will try my best to answer your question! Freshman move-in day. I still remember the emotional mixture of excitement and nervousness as I started a new stage in my life.
Learn from your Big SCister
By: Grace Carballo ‘17
The first lesson is that almost every word that has an S or a C is “Trojanized” to have both and you shouldn’t fight it, but rather laugh and promptly accept it. Soon you’ll be doing it, too. I’m writing this post for my biological brother but since we’re all Trojan Family, the whole class of 2020 is more than welcome to my unsolicited sisterly wisdom. As a rising senior, I’m practically of a different generation than you young folks and my life experience is worth its weight in gold. I would give my right arm (dominant hand and objectively a critical component of my “good side”) to be able to have 4 more years of college like you young grasshoppers get to, especially if I could relive it knowing all I know now. In preparation for writing this letter I looked through my old photos from 2013-2014 (a simpler time) and can’t even believe how good we had it/have it at USC.
12 Things I Wish I Knew My Freshman Year
By: Anna Lipscomb ‘19
1. Keep a planner. I didn’t have one my first semester, and things got chaotic when my mental To-Do list grew too long. Moral of the story: a planner/calendar will be your best friend.